NPI output in China stood at 26,700 mt in nickel content in April (-3.4% MoM) or 647,000 mt in physical content (-2.15% MoM). High-grade NPI was about 205,000 mt in physical content, or 20,200 mt in metal content (-9,400 mt in metal content), and low-grade NPI at about 442,000 mt in physical content, or 6,500 mt in metal content. Affected by Indonesian Lebaran, RKAB approval slowed down. Concerns about Indonesian nickel ores lingered, elevating nickel ores prices. Therefore, NPI smelters held sluggish purchase appetites and produced on stocks. In addition, as high nickel ore prices undermined the profit recovery, some smelters shut down for maintenance with an unclear time for production resumption. Spring environmental protection inspections in some regions caused local output to drop slightly. Affected by bearish sentiments from declining stainless steel prices in March, April saw pessimistic future orders for stainless steel. Integrated steel mills adjusted their product structure to cope with market fluctuations. The reduced output of 300-series stainless steel resulted in a slight decline in NPI output by integrated enterprises.
It is estimated that the domestic NPI output will be 27,600 mt in metal content in May, up 3.2% MoM. According to SMM research, some domestic smelters are expected to resume production in May, but the resumed output will be limited due to high costs. The current demand for stainless steel drove up NPI output by integrated steel mills.


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