SMM Nickel Flash: NPI Market Shows Divergent Pattern, Suppliers Hold Firm Amid Intense Bargaining

A major nickel industrial park in Indonesia has published its latest tender for Philippine nickel ore, with 1.3% Ni grade ore awarded at US$45/wmt CIF and 1.4% Ni grade ore at US$56/wmt CIF. The latest tender indicates continued procurement demand for Philippine nickel ore, with higher-grade material maintaining a notable premium over lower-grade cargoes.

China imported approximately 5.86 million mt of nickel ore in June 2026, down 1.6% MoM from 5.95 million mt in May. Imports from the Philippines remained broadly stable at 5.45 million mt, accounting for around 93% of the total, as the dry-season shipment peak continued. Shipments from New Caledonia fell 48% MoM to 117,400 mt, while imports from Guatemala more than tripled to 170,600 mt, partially offsetting declines from other suppliers. Overall imports remained at historically elevated levels, reflecting strong seasonal availability from the Philippines, although the high concentration of supply continues to expose the market to weather-related shipment disruptions.

In June 2026, China's total sulphur imports amounted to approximately 195,000 metric tons (mt), down 27.3% month-on-month and down 81.1% year-on-year, originated primarily from Canada, South Korea, Japan, the UAE, Brunei, Singapore, and Kazakhstan. China's total sulphur exports amounted to approximately 238 mt, down 56.5% month-on-month, with major destinations including Myanmar, Indonesia, Vietnam, and North Korea. China's total sulphuric acid imports amounted to approximately 3,000 mt (reference value, subject to final customs data), sourced primarily from Taiwan, China, South Korea, Japan, Germany, and the United States. China's total sulphuric acid exports amounted to approximately 16,000 mt, down 84.5% month-on-month and down 96.0% year-on-year, with major destinations including Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Tanzania, and Togo.