Prices of High-grade NPI Decline on Falling Nickel Ore Prices

Published: Mar 15, 2023 10:19

Source: SMM

Save

Last week, prices of high-grade NPI declined by more than 70 yuan/mtu.

SHANGHAI, Mar 15 (SMM) - Last week, prices of high-grade NPI declined by more than 70 yuan/mtu. Chinese high-grade NPI plants generally suffered losses based on the prices of raw materials purchased 25 days earlier. As for auxiliary materials, the prices of semi-coke purchased 25 days ago rose. Mines lowered the nickel ore quotes following the dropping NPI prices, which slightly eased the NPI plants' cost pressure. However, the market supply of NPI stood high and will grow further. If the mines do not make continuous price cuts in the future, a large number of NPI plants will suspend or reduce their production. SMM presumes that the nickel ore prices will trend lower in the short term to alleviate the NPI plants' cost pressure.

Spot Market Market

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

17 hours ago

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.

17 hours ago

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.

17 hours ago

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.

17 hours ago