[ferro-alloys.com]The nickel market was in deficit during January to August 2019 with apparent demand exceeding production by 77.1 kt. In the whole of 2018 the calculated deficit was 102.9 kt.. Reported stocks held in the LME at the end of August 2019 were 53.8 kt lower than at the end of the previous year. Refined production in January to August 2019 totalled 1520.5 kt and demand was 1597.6 kt.

Mine production during January to August was 1608.7 kt, 68 kt above the comparable 2018 total. Chinese smelter/refinery output increased by 61 kt compared with 2018 and apparent demand was 818.9 kt, 139 kt higher than in the previous year.

World apparent demand was 67 kt higher than the previous year. No allowance is made in the consumption calculation for unreported stock changes

In August 2019, nickel smelter/refinery production was 209.0 kt and consumption was 217.7 kt.

（WBMS）

• [Editor:王可]