Import Window Remains Closed For Nickel   

Published: Nov 19, 2021 17:39
Source: SMM
The SHFE/LME nickel price ratio remained low this week. But the concentrated buying on the dip lowered the domestic nickel inventory.

SHANGHAI, Nov 19 – The SHFE/LME nickel price ratio remained low this week. But the concentrated buying on the dip lowered the domestic nickel inventory.

The price spread between the SHFE front-month and next-month contracts widened with the exodus of bears of the SHFE front-month contract on Thursday evening. The nickel price ratio began to rally.

The domestic supply tightness is expected to intensify if the domestic demand remains stable and the nickel price ratio remains at the current level. As such, the import window is likely to reopen.

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 for 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
[SMM Nickel Morning Meeting Minutes] The Trump Administration Refused to Return to the Iran Memorandum, the Most-Traded SHFE Nickel Contract Edged Down in Early Trading
52 mins ago
[SMM Nickel Morning Meeting Minutes] The Trump Administration Refused to Return to the Iran Memorandum, the Most-Traded SHFE Nickel Contract Edged Down in Early Trading
Read More
[SMM Nickel Morning Meeting Minutes] The Trump Administration Refused to Return to the Iran Memorandum, the Most-Traded SHFE Nickel Contract Edged Down in Early Trading
[SMM Nickel Morning Meeting Minutes] The Trump Administration Refused to Return to the Iran Memorandum, the Most-Traded SHFE Nickel Contract Edged Down in Early Trading
[8.31 Morning Meeting Summary] US media: The Trump administration refused to return to the terms of the memorandum of understanding reached with Iran in June. The White House: There are currently no negotiations; all options are under consideration. The most-traded SHFE nickel 2610 contract edged down in early trading, closing the morning session at 128,200 yuan/mt, down 0.47%. In the short term, the most-traded SHFE nickel contract price is expected to trade in the range of 127,000-132,000 yuan/mt.
52 mins ago
GEM's Overseas Nickel Project Recovers, Aiming for 65,000 Tons Output in H2 2026 Amid Sulfur Price Drop
1 hour ago
GEM's Overseas Nickel Project Recovers, Aiming for 65,000 Tons Output in H2 2026 Amid Sulfur Price Drop
Read More
GEM's Overseas Nickel Project Recovers, Aiming for 65,000 Tons Output in H2 2026 Amid Sulfur Price Drop
GEM's Overseas Nickel Project Recovers, Aiming for 65,000 Tons Output in H2 2026 Amid Sulfur Price Drop
According to GEM's semi-annual report, starting from April 2026, the production capacity of the company's overseas nickel resource project has gradually recovered. As of July 2026, the company's MHP daily nickel output had exceeded 370 tons. The planned nickel output for the second half of the year is 65,000 tons, representing a 134% quarter-on-quarter increase. Meanwhile, with the easing of the U.S.-Iran war, sulfur prices have entered a downward trend, which will facilitate the recovery of nickel resource profitability. The company is striving to promote the coordinated development of its various businesses.
1 hour ago
GEM's 2026 Semi-Annual Report: Nickel and Cobalt Output Falls, Misses Targets
1 hour ago
GEM's 2026 Semi-Annual Report: Nickel and Cobalt Output Falls, Misses Targets
Read More
GEM's 2026 Semi-Annual Report: Nickel and Cobalt Output Falls, Misses Targets
GEM's 2026 Semi-Annual Report: Nickel and Cobalt Output Falls, Misses Targets
GEM's semi-annual report for 2026 shows that in the first half of the year, overseas nickel project nickel output reached 27,790 tons (including capacity from equity-participated projects), accounting for 40% of the planned volume, down 37% year-on-year; self-produced cobalt metal reached 2,601 tons, also accounting for only 40% of the planned volume, down 29% year-on-year."
1 hour ago