In October 2023, China's NPI production was 33,700 mt in nickel content and 787,000 mt in physical content, down 0.36% MoM and 2.23% YoY respectively. Poor demand during the traditional peak season led to reports of 300-series stainless steel production cuts, which weakened high-grade NPI demand. NPI prices fell due to decreased demand from stainless steel mills and liquidity needs of NPI traders, despite stable ore prices. This led to losses for high-grade NPI producers, some entering maintenance mode and reducing NPI production.
November 2023's estimated NPI production is around 33,600 mt in nickel content, down 0.31% MoM. High NPI stock and low Q4 demand recovery are reported by SMM. Traders' need for fund retrieval is expected to continue, further reducing high-grade NPI prices.
![[SMM Analysis] The April turn: how Chinese stainless mills came around to higher NPI prices](https://imgqn.smm.cn/production/admin/votes/imagesDAZmS20260504170607.png)

![[SMM Stainless Steel Flash] UK/EU Steel Prices Surge Amid Tariffs; India Grants Relief to SMEs](https://imgqn.smm.cn/usercenter/GmHLU20251217171733.jpg)
