Ferro-nickel cif China discount deepens; significant price gap slows quarterly talks

The discount paid for ferro-nickel with 26-32% nickel content in China fell to its lowest level on Fastmarkets' records in December due to a lack of demand and no price competitiveness.

Fastmarkets assessed the ferro-nickel premium/discount, 26-32% Ni contained, cif China at a discount of $1,800-2,200 per tonne on Tuesday December 29, widening from a discount of $1,000-1,300 per tonne on November 30.
The latest assessment marks the largest discount since Fastmarkets began tracking the market in January 2016.
"[Chinese stainless steel] mills are not interested in buying ferro-nickel and they bid at a very big discount, saying demand is not as strong as in previous months," a producer source said.

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