In April 2025, according to the customs statistical data platform, China's imports of refined nickel (including unwrought non-alloy nickel with a total nickel and cobalt content of ≥99.99% and cobalt content of ≤0.005%, other unwrought non-alloy nickel, and unwrought nickel alloys) reached 19,157 mt, up 116.92% MoM from March, up 135.76% YoY, and up 127.88% YoY on a cumulative basis. Imports of other unwrought non-alloy nickel amounted to 9,144 mt, up 88.22% MoM and up 55.20% YoY. Imports of non-alloy nickel powder and flake powder totaled 335 mt, up 46.59% MoM and up 35.70% YoY. By country, Russia, Indonesia, and Norway remained China's top three sources of refined nickel imports, with a combined volume of 15,676 mt, an increase of 9,998 mt from the previous month.
In April 2025, customs clearance volume was 3,185 mt, with a sharp increase in total direct imports MoM. This was primarily due to geopolitical factors, which led to a shift in Russian refined nickel exports towards the Chinese market, with a significant increase in exports to China in April.
