Philippine nickel producers expect production to remain relatively unchanged this year, as erratic weather conditions and subdued global prices continue to impact the country’s mining industry.
Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) president Dante Bravo said the sector is unlikely to see a significant increase in output in 2026, partly because unpredictable rainfall is disrupting mining activities.
In 2025, the volume of nickel ore meant for direct shipping rose 5.6 percent to 37.81 million dry metric tons (DMT), while the value of nickel ore output fell 18.1 percent to P69.36 billion.
Additionally, both volume and value improved significantly in the first half of 2026, with nickel direct shipping ore output up 25.6 percent to 19.24 DMT and its value surging 47.5 percent to P42.18 billion.
Asked whether nickel production could surpass its 2025 level, Bravo said he was uncertain but expected output to remain broadly stable. ‘I’m not sure of that one. Because the weather is erratic,’ he told reporters.
Consequently, nickel prices have also remained under pressure, Bravo said, limiting the industry’s prospects for stronger production growth.
He added that competition among buyers could help support prices, particularly as Indonesia continues to expand its processing capacity.
‘If you’re just going to China, then the tendency is that there are situations in the past where they can control the price. But now if there’s competition between two countries, the price is stable,’ he said.
Beyond raw ore exports, PNIA is pursuing closer cooperation with Indonesian mining groups to attract investments in domestic nickel processing.
Furthermore, Bravo said the proposed collaboration could allow Philippine miners to produce semi-finished nickel products for further processing in Indonesia, where lower energy costs and established industrial facilities provide an advantage.
At the same time, initial discussions have included sharing market information and developing training opportunities for Filipino engineers and metallurgists.
Meanwhile, the industry is also seeking to attract investors from other countries looking to secure reliable access to critical minerals, particularly for batteries and other advanced technologies.
However, Bravo stressed that such investments would depend on their commercial viability and a predictable regulatory environment.
Still, the Philippines holds an estimated $170 billion in nickel deposits, among the largest in Southeast Asia. The country has approximately 4.8 million metric tons of nickel reserves. Most of the companies export nickel as raw ore.