Reuters quoted an executive at the country's top nickel producer Jinchuan Group as saying that China's nickel output is expected to be 440,000 tonnes in 2011.

Mr Wu Jun VP at Jinchuan Group Limited made the comments to reporters on the sidelines of an industry conference.

China's nickel consumption was 575,000 tonnes in 2010, accounting for around 40% of global consumption.

(Sourced from www.reuters.com)