Dearest SMM Users,
The Philippines is one of China's major suppliers of nickel laterite ore, with a wide range of specifications for nickel, iron, and alumina traded in the market. Differences in nickel grades and impurity levels can significantly affect nickel ore prices, blending value, and suitability for smelting.
To further enhance market transparency and expand the coverage of Philippine nickel laterite ore price specifications, SMM is launching new low-grade Philippine nickel laterite ore price data points for Ni 0.7% and Fe 48%, with Al differentiated into two categories: ≥5% and <5%.
The addition of these specifications is intended to provide a more comprehensive price reference for the low-grade Philippine nickel laterite ore market. In particular, alumina content is an important indicator for assessing the quality and relative value of low-grade nickel ore, as differences in alumina content may affect blending requirements and smelting economics.
By distinguishing between Al ≥5% and Al <5%, the new data points will better capture price differentials between nickel ores with different impurity levels and provide a more precise reference for assessing grade differentials, blending economics, and the competitiveness of low-grade Philippine nickel laterite ore in the Chinese market.
The new specifications will complement SMM's existing Philippine nickel laterite ore price assessments and further expand SMM's coverage of specifications actively traded in the physical nickel ore market.
I. Data Names
- SMM: Philippine Nickel Laterite Ore 0.7% Ni, 48% Fe, Al ≥5% (CIF China): Daily Price
- SMM: Philippine Nickel Laterite Ore 0.7% Ni, 48% Fe, Al <5% (CIF China): Daily Price
- SMM: Philippine Nickel Laterite Ore 0.7% Ni, 48% Fe, Al ≥5% (FOB): Daily Price
- SMM: Philippine Nickel Laterite Ore 0.7% Ni, 48% Fe, Al <5% (FOB): Daily Price
II. Price Point Details
Price Point 1: SMM Philippine 0.7% Nickel Laterite Ore (CIF China, Al ≥5%)
- Product: SMM Philippine 0.7% Nickel Laterite Ore (CIF China, Al ≥5%)
- Quality Standard: Ni 0.7%, Fe 48%, Al ≥5%
- Moisture Content: 33%–37%
- Definition: CIF price from major Philippine loading ports to major ports in China
- Unit: USD/wet metric tonne
- Mainstream Brands: Major Philippine nickel ore suppliers
- Minimum Transaction Volume: 50,000 wet metric tonnes
- Delivery Period: 1–2 months
- Publication Time: 12:00 noon Beijing Time on working days
- Payment Terms: Letter of credit, telegraphic transfer, or documents against payment; other payment terms are subject to separate negotiation
Price Point 2: SMM Philippine 0.7% Nickel Laterite Ore (CIF China, Al <5%)
- Product: SMM Philippine 0.7% Nickel Laterite Ore (CIF China, Al <5%)
- Quality Standard: Ni 0.7%, Fe 48%, Al <5%
- Moisture Content: 33%–37%
- Definition: CIF price from major Philippine loading ports to major ports in China
- Unit: USD/wet metric tonne
- Mainstream Brands: Major Philippine nickel ore suppliers
- Minimum Transaction Volume: 50,000 wet metric tonnes
- Delivery Period: 1–2 months
- Publication Time: 12:00 noon Beijing Time on working days
- Payment Terms: Letter of credit, telegraphic transfer, or documents against payment; other payment terms are subject to separate negotiation
Price Point 3: SMM Philippine 0.7% Nickel Laterite Ore (FOB, Al ≥5%)
- Product: SMM Philippine 0.7% Nickel Laterite Ore (FOB, Al ≥5%)
- Quality Standard: Ni 0.7%, Fe 48%, Al ≥5%
- Moisture Content: 33%–37%
- Definition: FOB price at major Philippine loading ports
- Unit: USD/wet metric tonne
- Mainstream Brands: Major Philippine nickel ore suppliers
- Minimum Transaction Volume: 50,000 wet metric tonnes
- Delivery Period: 1–2 months
- Publication Time: 12:00 noon Beijing Time on working days
- Payment Terms: Letter of credit, telegraphic transfer, or documents against payment; other payment terms are subject to separate negotiation
Price Point 4: SMM Philippine 0.7% Nickel Laterite Ore (FOB, Al <5%)
- Product: SMM Philippine 0.7% Nickel Laterite Ore (FOB, Al <5%)
- Quality Standard: Ni 0.7%, Fe 48%, Al <5%
- Moisture Content: 33%–37%
- Definition: FOB price at major Philippine loading ports
- Unit: USD/wet metric tonne
- Mainstream Brands: Major Philippine nickel ore suppliers
- Minimum Transaction Volume: 50,000 wet metric tonnes
- Delivery Period: 1–2 months
- Publication Time: 12:00 noon Beijing Time on working days
- Payment Terms: Letter of credit, telegraphic transfer, or documents against payment; other payment terms are subject to separate negotiation
If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact us.
SMM Nickel Research Team
August 10, 2026