Nickel Import Premiums to Remain High on Low Shipments Arrivals in China Boned Zone

SHANGHAI, Jan 28 – Imports remained loss-making this week. Imports of pure nickel are still insufficient to meet the domestic demand, while the spot supply of domestic nickel plates and nickel briquette remains tight. The import premiums thus continued to rise.

The import premiums can hardly fall as the arriving shipments in the bonded zones are expected to be limited post-CNY holidays.

The SHFE/LME nickel price ratio is likely to improve given the current demand and limited customs clearance.