According to the latest data released by the Brazilian Institute of Non ferrous Metals, the country's nickel production, which was 3,641 tonne in October last year, amounted to 6,104 tonne in October this year, up 20.5 percent compared to September. In the first 10 months of this year, Brazilian nickel output totaled 55,302 tonne, up 56% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

In the January to October period of this year, Brazil exported 70% of its total nickel output, while the country's nickel exports rose 89.6% compared to the first 10 months of 2011, totaling 38,657 tonne.

Meanwhile, in the first 10 months of the current year nickel sales to the Brazilian domestic market including imports amounted to 15,818 tonne, decreasing by 6.3% compared to January to October 2011.