(Corrects headline to show expectation for deficit, not

surplus)

HOUSTON, March 19 (Reuters) - Brazilian miner Vale

expects nickel markets to swing to a global deficit

by 2028 from their current oversupply, an executive said on

Tuesday.

"We are very strong on nickel fundamentals," Vale Chief

Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer Emily Olson told

the CERAWeek energy conference in Houston. "Despite the

short-term pain, we see the long-term gain."