According to the latest data released by the Brazilian Institute of Non-ferrous Metals (ICZ), the country's nickel production amounted to 5,775 mt in July this year, rising by 5.5 percent compared to June and up five percent compared to the same month of the previous year. In the first seven months of the year, the country's nickel production decreased one percent year on year to 39,024 mt.

 

In July this year, Brazil exported 3,897 mt of nickel, indicating a month-on-month increase of 6.6 percent and up 0.85 percent year on year. In the January-July period of this year, Brazil's nickel exports rose 2.2 percent compared to the first seven months of 2012, totaling 26,623 mt.

 

Meanwhile, in July of the current year apparent nickel consumption in the Brazilian domestic market including imports amounted to 1,475 mt, rising by 6.3 percent compared to June and down 15.9 percent year on year. In the first seven months of the current year, nickel use in the Brazilian market including imports amounted to 11,441 mt, decreasing 4.3 percent compared to January-July 2012.