[ferro-alloys.com]The Nickel market was in deficit during January to October 2018 with apparent demand exceeding production by 10 kt. In the whole of 2017 the calculated deficit was 41.3 kt. Reported stocks held in the LME at the end of October 2018 were 148 kt lower than at the end of the previous year. Refined production in January to October 2018 totalled 1860 kt and demand was 1870 kt.

Mine production during January to October was 1919 kt, 227 kt above the comparable 2017 total. Chinese trade data has just become available following a six-month delay for technical reasons. Chinese smelter/refinery output increased by 111 kt compared with 2017 and apparent demand was 102 kt higher than in the previous year.

World apparent demand was 157 kt higher than the previous year. No allowance is made in the consumption calculation for unreported stock changes

In October 2018, nickel smelter/refinery production was 211.0 kt and consumption was 203.1 kt.

（World Bureau of Metal Statistics）

• [Editor:王可]