The nickel sulfate market showed a weaker bias with the price center moving slightly lower. Declining ore prices and rising port inventories added downward pressure. Policy changes in Indonesia linking ore quotas to domestic smelting capacity may affect supply.
Nickel Sulfate Price Trend Analysis 2026: Market Insights, Supply Demand Analysis, Price Drivers, Historical Prices & Latest News
Written ByShriya Singh
Nickel Sulfate Price Trend Q2 2026
| Product | Region | Incoterm Basis | Price | Last Updated Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickel Sulfate | China | FOB | USD 4,988.70/MT | May 2026 |
| Nickel Sulfate | India | CIF | USD 5,056.04/MT | May 2026 |
| Nickel Sulfate | USA | CIF | USD 5,107.89/MT | May 2026 |
| Nickel Sulfate | Germany | CIF | USD 5,082.15/MT | May 2026 |
| Nickel Sulfate | Australia | CIF | USD 5,039.53/MT | May 2026 |
| Nickel Sulfate | China | FOB | USD 4,790.82/MT | April 2026 |
| Nickel Sulfate | India | CIF | USD 4,840.82/MT | April 2026 |
| Nickel Sulfate | USA | CIF | USD 4,877.82/MT | April 2026 |
| Nickel Sulfate | Germany | CIF | USD 4,916.82/MT | April 2026 |
| Nickel Sulfate | Australia | CIF | USD 4,828.82/MT | April 2026 |
Stay updated with the latest nickel sulfate prices, historical data, and tailored regional analysis
Nickel Sulfate Price Trend Q1 2026
- Nickel sulfate prices showed a modest upward movement in Q1’26 across regions, supported by cost pressures despite weak battery demand and persistent global nickel oversupply.
- Rising sulphur and MHP costs, along with Indonesian ore constraints and supply chain risks linked to Gulf disruptions, tightened production economics.
- Demand from NMC batteries remained subdued due to increasing LFP adoption, limiting stronger price gains.
Nickel sulfate prices in Q1’26 reflected a cost-driven increase rather than demand strength, with US prices rising from ~4,629.7 USD/MT (CIF) in January to ~4,812.7 USD/MT in March, marking a ~3.95% increase, while remaining ~16.42% higher quarter-on-quarter. Upstream pressure came from constrained mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP) supply and higher sulphur costs, as Indonesian HPAL producers faced feedstock risks due to reliance on Middle East sulphur flows, which were disrupted amid geopolitical tensions and Strait of Hormuz concerns. Trade exposure remained critical, with Indonesia sourcing a large share of sulphur imports from the Middle East, tightening availability and increasing processing costs. Downstream, weaker NMC cathode demand in China and global EV markets, alongside a structural shift toward LFP batteries, capped price momentum despite supply-side tightening. In Europe and North America, prices tracked import parity and elevated logistics costs rather than a strong consumption recovery.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, in the near term, nickel sulfate prices are likely to remain firm but range-bound, as cost support persists while demand recovery stays limited.
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Copper smelters are relying on by-product sulfuric acid revenues to offset losses from negative concentrate treatment charges. Strong acid prices are supporting smelter profitability, with prices remaining elevated. The trend underscores the key role of sulfuric acid in smelter economics and suggests continued price strength.
Battery-grade nickel sulfate crystal midpoint price fell to Yuan 32,100/tonne, continuing weakness. Nickel ore prices dropped and MHP payable rates edged down, reducing input costs. Near-term price outlook remains bearish on declining feedstock costs.
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About Nickel Sulfate
Nickel Sulfate is a green, crystalline, water-soluble compound widely used in various industrial applications. Its most significant use is in the production of lithium-ion batteries, where it acts as a critical precursor for nickel-rich cathode materials. Additionally, it plays a key role in electroplating, providing corrosion-resistant coatings for metals. Nickel Sulfate is also used in catalysts, ceramics, and as a colorant in glass and dyes. With rising demand in the EV sector, its industrial relevance continues to grow globally.
Nickel Sulfate Product Detail
Hs Code
28332400
Chemical Formula
NiSO4
Cas Number
10101-97-0
Molecular Weight
154.76 g/mol
Supplier Database
CoreMax Corporation (Taiwan), Umicore Cobalt & Specialty Materials (Belgium), Univertical (U.S.), Shanghai Liangren Chemical Co. LTD. (China), Vizag Chemical International (India), Norilsk Nickel (Russia), Mechema International Group (Taiwan)
Regional Coverage
Asia Pacific
China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Iran, Thailand, South Korea, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Nepal, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, UAE, Israel, Hongkong, Singapore, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Australia, and New Zealand
Europe
Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy,Spain, Russia, Turkey, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Ireland Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Romania, Finland, Czech Republic, Portugal and Greece
North America
United States and Canada
Latin America
Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Columbia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru
Africa
South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco
CurrencyUS$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)
Supplier Database AvailabilityYes
Customization ScopeThe report can be customized as per the requirements of the customer
Post-Sale Analyst Support360-degree analyst support after report delivery
Note: Our supplier search experts can assist your procurement teams in compiling and validating a list of suppliers indicating they have products, services, and capabilities that meet your company's needs.
Nickel Sulfate Production Process
Production by the Chemical Reaction Between Nickel Oxide with Sulfuric Acid: The process is initialized by reacting nickel oxide with a hot diluted sulfuric acid solution in a chemical reactor. To obtain nickel sulfate as the final product, the mixture is oxidized in the presence of oxygen at a steady temperature and pressure, which is then heated further to get crystallized and is refined by treating it with barium carbonate resulting in the formation of nickel sulfate crystals.
Nickel Sulfate Industrial Uses
Nickel Sulfate is widely used in various industrial sectors due to its versatility and nickel content. Its primary application is in the production of lithium-ion batteries, where it serves as a key precursor for nickel-rich cathode materials used in electric vehicles and electronics. It is also crucial in electroplating, providing corrosion-resistant nickel coatings for metal parts. Additionally, Nickel Sulfate is used in catalysts, ceramic glazes, glass coloring, and surface treatment processes, making it valuable across chemical, automotive, and electronics industries.
About the Author
Shriya Singh
Business Insights Analyst
Helping procurement and sourcing teams navigate complex markets through data-driven research, category intelligence, and actionable insights - with a focus on identifying market trends, analyzing supply-side developments, and delivering clear intelligence that supports informed business decisions.
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