Japan: Nickel Powder Market 2025

Nickel Powder Market Size in Japan

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in the Japanese nickel powder market, when its value increased by 17% to $X. Overall, consumption, however, showed a abrupt curtailment. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Nickel Powder Exports

Exports from Japan

In 2021, shipments abroad of nickel powders and flakes increased by 35% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, nickel powder exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

South Korea (X tons) was the main destination for nickel powder exports from Japan, with a 78% share of total exports. Moreover, nickel powder exports to South Korea exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Thailand (X tons), with a 4.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to South Korea totaled +10.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Taiwan (Chinese) (-1.0% per year) and Thailand (+20.6% per year).

In value terms, South Korea ($X) remains the key foreign market for nickel powders and flakes exports from Japan, comprising 85% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Taiwan (Chinese) ($X), with a 7.2% share of total exports. It was followed by Thailand, with a 1.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to South Korea amounted to +5.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Taiwan (Chinese) (-5.1% per year) and Thailand (+10.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average nickel powder export price amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -6.3% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a pronounced decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average export price increased by 28% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Korea ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Singapore ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to China (+0.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Nickel Powder Imports

Imports into Japan

In 2021, supplies from abroad of nickel powders and flakes was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a slight decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 32%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, nickel powder imports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, saw a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Canada (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of nickel powder to Japan, with a 61% share of total imports. Moreover, nickel powder imports from Canada exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the UK (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by China (X tons), with a 7.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Canada was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the UK (-2.1% per year) and China (-3.6% per year).

In value terms, Canada ($X) constituted the largest supplier of nickel powders and flakes to Japan, comprising 62% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the UK ($X), with a 19% share of total imports. It was followed by China, with a 9.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Canada was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the UK (-4.0% per year) and China (-6.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average nickel powder import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 9.1% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the average import price increased by 18%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for the UK ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+1.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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