[SMM data] the total nickel ore imports affected by the epidemic decreased by 6% month-on-month to about 1.3591 million tons in April, down 70.2% from the same period last year.

Published: May 20, 2020 16:19

SMM, May 20:

According to SMM, China's total nickel mine imports in April were 1.3591 million tons, down 87100 tons from March, 6 per cent lower than the previous month, and 70.2 per cent lower than a year earlier.

Imports from the Philippines were 1.088 million tons, up 11.6% from the previous month, down 54.8% from the same period last year. Affected by the epidemic, although the rainy season in the Suligao region of the Philippines was over in April, it was still unable to ship goods, resulting in a significant drop in imports in April compared with the same period last year. Nickel ore exports gradually resumed in May and are expected to fully return to normal in June. The import volume from Xinka is 125300 tons, an increase of 5.5% over the previous month. Xinka's import volume is stable, basically medium-to-high quality, low water content, and good quality of nickel ore. Guatemala imported 15900 tons this month, with a cumulative import volume of 68200 tons in 2020 and no imports for the whole of 19 years. SMM predicts that nickel mine imports will pick up slightly in May, mainly due to the gradual lifting of the ban on Philippine mining areas in May, and the physical export volume may still have a slight decline compared with the same period last year. In addition, since the beginning of this year, there is no high-quality ore available in the Philippines, the grade of nickel ore has dropped more, and the export volume of metal has declined more or more from the same period last year.

(note: customs data do not distinguish between dry and wet tons)

For more information, please subscribe to SMM Nickel Research Group products "China Ni-Cr stainless Steel Industry chain routine report" and "China Ni-Cr stainless Steel Industry chain High-end report" to get the latest data analysis and market analysis of nickel ore, nickel pig iron (China + Indonesia), electrolytic nickel, nickel sulfate, chromium ore, ferrochrome and stainless steel (China + Indonesia). For order and trial, please call 021 tel 5166 6775 QQ: 1553928752, contact: Zhang Lingying)

(Zhang Lingying TEL:021-5166 6775 QQ: 1553928752)

Click to register: "2020 (Fifth) China International Nickel, Cobalt and Lithium Summit Forum"

To sign up for the Nickel-Cobalt-Lithium Summit or apply to join the SMM New Energy vehicle / Cobalt-Lithium Industry Exchange Group, please scan the QR code below:

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
High-Grade NPI Smelter Profits Squeezed as Ore Prices Rise and Sales Prices Dip
23 hours ago
High-Grade NPI Smelter Profits Squeezed as Ore Prices Rise and Sales Prices Dip
Read More
High-Grade NPI Smelter Profits Squeezed as Ore Prices Rise and Sales Prices Dip
High-Grade NPI Smelter Profits Squeezed as Ore Prices Rise and Sales Prices Dip
[SMM Nickel Flash] Based on nickel ore prices from 25 days ago, smelter profits for high-grade NPI remained high this week. However, from the current raw material side, ore prices from both the Philippines and Indonesia increased, while auxiliary material prices saw a slight pullback, leading to an increase in the cash cost of producing high-grade NPI from spot ore. At the same time, high-grade NPI prices experienced some pullback, making it difficult for smelter profits to see sustained improvement.
23 hours ago
High-Grade NPI Prices Fall, Expected to Stabilize as Chinese New Year Approaches
23 hours ago
High-Grade NPI Prices Fall, Expected to Stabilize as Chinese New Year Approaches
Read More
High-Grade NPI Prices Fall, Expected to Stabilize as Chinese New Year Approaches
High-Grade NPI Prices Fall, Expected to Stabilize as Chinese New Year Approaches
[SMM Nickel Flash] This week, due to a sharp decline in futures triggering arbitrage selling, high-grade NPI prices fell significantly. However, after the selling activity subsided, upstream quotations and the market center gradually returned to normal levels, supported by cost factors. Looking ahead, as the Chinese New Year holiday approaches, market activity is expected to remain subdued, and high-grade NPI prices are projected to hover at highs with limited fluctuations.
23 hours ago
Nickel Prices Drop: SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Down 17.2 Yuan, Indonesia NPI FOB Index Falls 2.06 $/mtu
23 hours ago
Nickel Prices Drop: SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Down 17.2 Yuan, Indonesia NPI FOB Index Falls 2.06 $/mtu
Read More
Nickel Prices Drop: SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Down 17.2 Yuan, Indonesia NPI FOB Index Falls 2.06 $/mtu
Nickel Prices Drop: SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Down 17.2 Yuan, Indonesia NPI FOB Index Falls 2.06 $/mtu
[SMM Nickel Flash] The SMM average price of 10-12% high-grade NPI fell 17.2 yuan/mtu WoW to 1,035.8 yuan/mtu (ex-factory, tax included), while the Indonesia NPI FOB index average price dropped 2.06 $/mtu WoW to 131.2 $/mtu. At the beginning of the week, futures hit limit-down, and nickel prices fell sharply WoW, driving the emergence of arbitrage supplies sold at low prices, leading to a significant decline in high-grade NPI prices.
23 hours ago