Nickel increased 995.38 USD/MT or 6.51% since the beginning of 2025, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Nickel - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on March of 2025.

During the last quarter of 2024, the nickel prices in the USA reached 21688 USD/MT (H2 2024 Avg Price) in December. As per the nickel price chart, the prices fell by around 0.92% compared to the same quarter last year. The demand for nickel from various downstream sectors, including stainless steel production and the electric vehicle (EV) battery industry, is influencing the prices.

Explore IMARC’s newly published report, titled “Nickel Prices, Trend, Chart, Demand, Market Analysis, News, Historical and Forecast Data Report 2025 Edition,” offers an in-depth analysis of nickel pricing, covering an analysis of global and regional market trends and the critical factors driving these price movements.

In May 2024, the price of one metric ton of nickel stood at some 19,586.98 U.S. dollars. In comparison, in December 2016, the price of nickel was just below 10,000 U.S. dollars per metric ton. Thus, the nickel price has increased considerably in recent years, though it continuously fluctuates. In the beginning of 2022, however, the price of nickel skyrocketed due to disruptions to supply chains and a wide scarcity of raw materials and metals. Overview of nickel Discovered in 1751, nickel is a base metal with a silvery-white lustrous appearance that has a slightly golden tinge. The metal is crucial for many global industries, especially, for example, for the production of stainless-steel. Nickel is highly corrosion-resistant and is used to plate other metals in order to protect them. Because of these useful traits, nickel is used in more than 300,000 products worldwide, spanning from architectural, industrial, military, transportation and aerospace, marine, currency, and consumer applications. Nickel price dynamics Though nickel is the fifth most abundant element found on Earth, as with any commodity, the price of nickel can vary widely depending on global market conditions. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, exports of nickel increased dramatically, dropping the price of nickel in the mid-1990s to below production costs. Nickel production in the Western Hemisphere was reduced during that period. Prices then increased again, up to a high of 52,179 U.S. dollars per metric ton in May 2007. Since then, nickel prices have decreased, and have remained between a low of 8,299 U.S. dollars per metric ton and a high of 18,584 U.S. dollars per metric ton between 2016 and 2021. It is forecast that the price of nickel will amount to more than 17,000 U.S. dollars per metric ton in 2025.

CN: Transaction Price: Nickel, No 1: Changchun data was reported at 9.260 10TH RMB/Ton in Dec 2013. This records a decrease from the previous number of 9.460 10TH RMB/Ton for Nov 2013. CN: Transaction Price: Nickel, No 1: Changchun data is updated monthly, averaging 13.055 10TH RMB/Ton from Feb 1998 (Median) to Dec 2013, with 150 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 44.500 10TH RMB/Ton in Apr 2007 and a record low of 5.600 10TH RMB/Ton in Apr 2000. CN: Transaction Price: Nickel, No 1: Changchun data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Price Monitoring Center, NDRC. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Price – Table CN.PG: Nickel Price.

Nickel price in the United States: Find info from the world's biggest and most esteemed business intelligence tool. 2 million reports updated monthly.

This statistic depicts the average monthly prices for nickel from January 2014 through January 2025. In January 2025, the average monthly price for nickel stood at 15,394.14 nominal U.S. dollars per metric ton.

The current price for nickel is volatile and subject to various factors that influence supply and demand in the global market. Discover the factors that impact the price of nickel and its use in industries like stainless steel, battery manufacturing, and electronics. Stay informed on real-time price fluctuations and industry news to make informed decisions about nickel investments or purchases.

In 2023, nickel had an average price of approximately 21,521 U.S. dollars per metric ton, a decrease of more than 4,000 U.S. dollars compared to the previous year. Top nickel producing regions In 2023, Indonesia produced the largest volume of nickel from mines in the world, totaling 1.8 million metric tons, while the Philippines produced 400,000 metric tons. Norilsk Nickel (also known as Nornickel) from Russia is one of the largest producers of nickel in the world. One of its largest mining operations is located in northern Russia within the Norilsk-Talnakh area. Nickel life cycle Nickel is a lustrous metal and is used for various applications, such as in plating metals, due to its resistance to corrosion. Nickel is not mined directly but is extracted from ores such as iron ore limonite. The metal can be extracted through roasting and reduction processes. Most often, nickel is used as part of nickel steels, including stainless steel, in alloys, and in electroplating. The worldwide consumption of nickel exceed three million metric tons in 2023. Historically, nickel has been used since 3500 BCE as a natural nickel-iron alloy.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global nickel market size is USD 35695.2 million in 2024 and will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.00% from 2024 to 2031.

North America held the major market of more than 40% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 14278.08 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2% from 2024 to 2031.
Europe accounted for a share of over 30% of the global market size of USD 10708.56 million.
Asia Pacific held the market of around 23% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 8209.90 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.0% from 2024 to 2031.
Latin America market of more than 5% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 1784.76 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.4% from 2024 to 2031.
Middle East and Africa held the major market of around 2% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 713.90 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7% from 2024 to 2031.
The Electrical & Electronics End-Uses held the highest nickel market revenue share in 2024

Market Dynamics of Nickel Market

Key Drivers for Nickel Market

Increased Demand for Nickel Batteries to Increase the Demand Globally

One key driver in the nickel market is increased demand for nickel batteries. It is an essential component in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries, which power electric vehicles. As the globe moves toward greener transportation and E.V. usage grows, so does the demand for nickel. Battery manufacture is projected to be a significant driver of nickel use in the coming years. Historically, the stainless steel sector was the major consumer of nickel. Nickel gives strength and corrosion resistance to steel, making it essential for a variety of applications. As global infrastructure development and industrial activity continue, demand for stainless steel, and thus nickel, remains high.

Boom in Electric Vehicles to Propel Market Growth

Another key driver in the nickel market is the increasing demand for electric vehicles. The worldwide electric vehicle (E.V.) boom is having a big impact on the nickel market, increasing both demand and prices. As the global demand for E.V.s grows, so does the demand for nickel to build these batteries. Major mining corporations such as BHP expect nickel demand to skyrocket in the coming decades, fuelled by the E.V. revolution. This boost in demand is putting strain on nickel supply, resulting in price increases. Nickel prices have already risen in recent years, and some predict that trend to continue as E.V. usage rises. Nickel has traditionally been used primarily in the stainless steel sector. However, the E.V. industry is expected to be the primary growth driver for nickel in the future.

Restraint Factor for the Nickel Market

Environmental and Health Issues to Limit the Sales

One key restraint in the nickel market is the challenge of Environmental and health issues. Nickel is an important metal in today's world. It is an important component of stainless steel, used in a variety of sectors, and used in lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles (E.V.s). The worldwide nickel market is expanding as demand for E.V.s rises. However, this expansion has a substantial drawback: environmental and health risks linked with nickel mining and processing. Nickel mining can pollute the air and water via dust, acid mine drainage, and inappropriate waste management. These pollutants can degrade ecosystems, taint drinking water, and impair respiratory health in adjacent communities. Nickel extraction and refining require a lot of energy, and it frequently uses fossil fuels, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

Impact of Covid-19 on the Nickel Market

The Nickel Market experienced both challenges and opportunities due to the impact of COVID-19. On one hand, the initial increase in nickel prices in early 2020 may have favored current inventory holders. While the pandemic caused a temporary delay, the long-term demand for nickel is likely to expand because of the increasing usage of electric vehicles (E.V.s) that use nickel-based batteries. However, on the other hand, Lockdowns and an economic downturn resulted in a substantial drop in nickel demand across a variety of industries, particularly stainless steel (the largest user). This resulted in a nickel...

In June 2023, the price of Nickel was $25,839 per ton (FOB, Netherlands), showing a decrease of -1.6% compared to the previous month.

The price of nickel powder in the USA reached 23095 USD/MT in the final quarter of 2023.

Explore IMARC’s newly published report, titled “Nickel Powder Pricing Report 2024: Price Trend, Chart, Market Analysis, News, Demand, Historical and Forecast Data,” offers an in-depth analysis of nickel powder pricing, covering an analysis of global and regional market trends and the critical factors driving these price movements.

Transaction Price: Nickel, Number 1: Shanghai data was reported at 9.630 10TH RMB/Ton in Dec 2013. This records an increase from the previous number of 9.480 10TH RMB/Ton for Nov 2013. Transaction Price: Nickel, Number 1: Shanghai data is updated monthly, averaging 12.170 10TH RMB/Ton from Feb 1998 (Median) to Dec 2013, with 179 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 44.000 10TH RMB/Ton in Apr 2007 and a record low of 4.505 10TH RMB/Ton in Jan 1999. Transaction Price: Nickel, Number 1: Shanghai data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Price Monitoring Center, NDRC. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Price – Table CN.PG: Nickel Price.

Graph and download economic data for Producer Price Index by Industry: Copper, Nickel, Lead and Zinc Mining (PCU212230212230) from Jun 1988 to Jan 2025 about zinc, lead, nickel, copper, mining, metals, PPI, industry, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

In 2023, the amount of unwrought nickel imported into the United States expanded notably to 101K tons, with an increase of 5.6% compared with the year before.

In recent years, nickel prices have hit some of their all-time highest numbers, at an average of almost 26,000 U.S. dollars per metric ton throughout 2022. This was driven by a large spike in prices at the end of that year, where they peaked at 31,275 U.S. dollars per ton in mid-November. The recent surge in nickel prices has been driven by several factors, including disruptions to Russia's (the world's third-largest nickel producer) export industry following its invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, demand for nickel has grown alongside the growth of lithium-ion battery production, driven by the growth of the electronic car market. However, these recent peaks are still well below the all-time annual high of more than 37,000 U.S. dollars in 2007, where low international supply coupled with high demand from China's stainless-steel manufacturing industries caused prices to soar.

Global nickel prices in the first quarter (Q1) of 2023 stood at 26,033 U.S. dollars per metric ton. Since then, they have steadily declined, reaching approximately 16,271 U.S. dollars per metric ton of nickel in Q3 2024.

Transaction Price: Nickel, Number 1: Nanning data was reported at 12.600 10TH RMB/Ton in Dec 2013. This records an increase from the previous number of 12.500 10TH RMB/Ton for Nov 2013. Transaction Price: Nickel, Number 1: Nanning data is updated monthly, averaging 14.000 10TH RMB/Ton from Mar 1998 (Median) to Dec 2013, with 183 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 47.000 10TH RMB/Ton in Apr 2007 and a record low of 7.500 10TH RMB/Ton in Aug 2002. Transaction Price: Nickel, Number 1: Nanning data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Price Monitoring Center, NDRC. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Price – Table CN.PG: Nickel Price.

Transaction Price: Nickel, Number 1: Hangzhou data was reported at 9.650 10TH RMB/Ton in Dec 2013. This records a decrease from the previous number of 9.660 10TH RMB/Ton for Nov 2013. Transaction Price: Nickel, Number 1: Hangzhou data is updated monthly, averaging 12.700 10TH RMB/Ton from Feb 1998 (Median) to Dec 2013, with 183 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 44.200 10TH RMB/Ton in Apr 2007 and a record low of 5.000 10TH RMB/Ton in Mar 2002. Transaction Price: Nickel, Number 1: Hangzhou data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Price Monitoring Center, NDRC. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Price – Table CN.PG: Nickel Price.

This statistic shows a forecast of the London Metal Exchange's cash price of nickel from 2015 to 2020. In 2020, it is predicted that the price of nickel will increase over 26,000 U.S. dollars per metric ton worldwide. Nickel is most commonly used for making steels, nonferrous alloys, and electroplating. It is also common in both industrial and commercial products.

The global nickel products market is experiencing robust growth, driven by the increasing demand from key sectors such as electric vehicle (EV) batteries and stainless steel production. The market size in 2025 is estimated at $35 billion, projected to reach approximately $50 billion by 2033, representing a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of approximately 6%. This growth is fueled by several factors. The burgeoning EV industry necessitates a significant increase in nickel production to meet the soaring demand for high-energy-density batteries. Furthermore, the construction and infrastructure sectors' continued reliance on stainless steel, a nickel-intensive alloy, contributes significantly to market expansion. Emerging trends, such as the exploration of sustainable nickel mining practices and advancements in nickel refining technologies, are further shaping the market's trajectory. While fluctuations in nickel prices and geopolitical uncertainties can act as restraints, the overall positive outlook for nickel demand across diverse industrial applications is anticipated to offset these challenges in the long term. The market segmentation reveals a diverse landscape. Nickel sulfate and nickel chloride dominate the type segment, largely owing to their extensive applications in battery manufacturing and electroplating. Stainless steel production continues to be the leading application segment, followed by the rapidly expanding battery sector, which is expected to significantly increase its share over the forecast period. Key players in the market include established mining and metals giants such as MMC Norilsk Nickel, Vale SA, and BHP, along with emerging players focused on sustainable and innovative nickel production methods. Regional analysis suggests that Asia-Pacific, specifically China, currently holds a substantial market share, attributed to its robust manufacturing base and significant demand for stainless steel and batteries. However, North America and Europe are expected to witness considerable growth fueled by increasing investments in renewable energy and electric vehicle infrastructure. This in-depth report provides a comprehensive overview of the global nickel products market, valued at approximately $35 billion in 2023. It analyzes market dynamics, key players, emerging trends, and future growth prospects. Utilizing rigorous data analysis and industry expert insights, this report offers invaluable strategic insights for businesses operating within this dynamic sector. Keywords: Nickel Sulfate, Nickel Chloride, Electrolytic Nickel, Nickel Hydroxide, Stainless Steel, Batteries, EV Batteries, Nickel Price, Nickel Mining, Nickel Production, Nickel Alloys.