China's refined nickel imports in January reached 12,838 tons, up 31.80 percent from the same period last year, the General Administration of Customs said Friday.

January's refined nickel imports increased 31.87 percent from December's 9,735 tons.

Nickel ore imports maintained strong momentum in January, with total import volume of 1.24 million tons, up 107 percent year-on-year. Growing investment in nickel pig iron projects in China has boosted nickel ore imports over the past year.

Nickel pig iron can be used as substitute for refined nickel in the production of low-nickel stainless steel.