nickel price on the average for 2010 will be $ 10 per pound, and the market will enter a stage of metal deficit after three years of excess supply, predicts a British research company, the CRU, «Interfax-Ukraine».

Consumption will exceed production in 2010 to 56 thousand. Tons, compared with a surplus of $ 39 thousand. Tons last year, said a consultant of nickel and chromium group CRU Vanessa Davidson at a conference in London.

«The market will move decisively into the zone of deficiency on the background of improved demand and limited supply growth," — her words lead agency Bloomberg.

China, the largest consumer of nickel in the world, is the main source of increasing demand, the expert believes. According to them, metal reserves in China are declining.

The share of producers of stainless steel accounts for two thirds of global nickel consumption.

According to the intergovernmental organization International Nickel Study Group, in January of this year, consumption of nickel in the world amounted to 112.4 thous. Tons, while production was equal to 114.5 thousand. Tonnes.

Ukrrudprom