Further extension of consultation period for proposal to launch high-grade nickel matte CIF China payable indicator

Fastmarkets is further extending the consultation period for its proposal to launch a monthly high-grade nickel matte payable indicator, 65-75% nickel contained, cif China, % of official exchange price assessment, following feedback from market participants.

The initial proposal to launch the assessment was published on February 26, but following feedback related to market liquidity Fastmarkets extended the consultation period.

The extended consultation started on March 26, but Fastmarkets again received mixed feedback and has decided to extend the consultation again – this time until May 28. 

The proposed specification for the price is as follows:

High-grade nickel matte payable indicator, 65-75% nickel contained, cif China, % of official exchange price
Quality: 
nickel matte, Ni 65-75%, Fe 6% max
Quantity: Min 100 tonnes
Location: CIF main ports China
Unit: Percentage of official exchange price
Publication: Final Friday of each month, 7pm China time

This price will be part of the Fastmarkets base metals package.

The extended consultation period for this proposed launch starts on April 24 and will end on May 28. The launch will then take place, subject to market feedback, on May 30.

To provide feedback on this proposal or if you would like to provide price information by becoming a data submitter to this price, please contact Dylan Duan by email at: pricing@fastmarkets.com. Please add the subject heading “FAO: Dylan Duan, nickel matte, CIF China.” 

Please indicate if comments are confidential. Fastmarkets will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.

To see all Fastmarkets’ pricing methodology and specification documents, go to: https://www.fastmarkets.com/methodology.

What to read next
The recent wave of anti-dumping measures approved in Brazil has been met with some concern in China — the country most affected by the Brazilian government’s decisions in this case — but despite the negative impact, Chinese participants see the moves as just another phase of doing business.
This consultation was done as part of our published annual methodology review process. No feedback was received about a methodology change during the consultation period and therefore no changes will be made to the methodologies at this stage. This consultation sought to ensure that our methodologies continue to reflect the physical CFR Manila steel billet market, in […]
The prices that will be affected are AG-SAF-0006 sustainable aviation fuel (SAF max), base cost, exw Netherlands (incl. HBE-IXB credits), $ per tonne, and AG-SAF-0007 sustainable aviation fuel (HVO max), base cost, exw Netherlands (incl. HBE-IXB credits), $ per tonne. Following the update by the Netherlands to its current biofuel mandate ahead of its full implementation of […]
Fastmarkets has suspended its pricing for Iran steel billet and slab exports following the escalation of the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran and because relevant, relative pricing data is not immediately available.
The two prices will broaden coverage of the world’s largest graphite flake market, complementing existing Fastmarkets’ graphite flake offerings. The new Chinese domestic prices will provide market participants with additional reference points, capturing unique dynamics of Chinese graphite market, particularly in the wake of graphite export controls that have raised the need for domestic market […]
Fastmarkets published its assessment of the MB-STE-0232 steel scrap No1 busheling, consumer buying price, delivered mill Chicago, $/gross ton on Thursday March 5, 2026.