According to the latest data released by the Brazilian Institute of Non-ferrous Metals (ICZ), in the first half of the current year Brazil's nickel production increased 1.1 percent year on year to 33,901 mt. Brazilian nickel production amounted to 5,475 mt in June this year, falling by 11.4 percent compared to May but up 33.3 percent compared to the same month of the previous year.
In June this year, Brazil exported 3,655 mt of nickel, indicating a month-on-month decrease of 10.3 percent and up 10.5 percent year on year. In the first half of the year, Brazil's nickel exports rose 2.5 percent compared to the first six months of 2012, totaling 23,318 mt.
Meanwhile, in June of the current year apparent nickel consumption in the Brazilian domestic market including imports amounted to 1,387 mt, falling by 4.6 percent compared to May and down 13.2 percent year on year. In the first half of the current year, nickel use in the Brazilian market including imports amounted to 9,475 mt, down 2.2 percent compared to January-June 2012.