Indian imported manganese ore prices soften, Australian ore down $0.1/dmtu WoW

en.Wedoany.com Reported - In the week ending July 18, 2026, imported manganese ore prices in China continued to face pressure, mainly due to subdued purchasing interest from Indian smelters. Weak manganese alloy prices compressed smelter margins, prompting buyers to delay procurement. Meanwhile, most smelters had sufficient inventories, limiting restocking demand. Additionally, the recent decline in Chinese manganese ore prices weakened the cost advantage of imported materials, leading to reduced import buying activity and a continued downtrend in import ore prices.

Australian high-grade ore (Mn 46%) fell $0.10/dmtu week-on-week to $5.35/dmtu CNF Haldia/Vizag. Gabonese high-grade ore (Mn 44%) dropped $0.07/dmtu week-on-week to $5.10/dmtu CNF Haldia/Vizag. South African lump ore (Mn 37%) declined $0.01/dmtu week-on-week to $4.60/dmtu CNF Haldia/Vizag.

Weak demand for manganese alloys outside China dampened smelter sentiment. Uncertainty in the finished steel market led Chinese steel mills to continue delaying purchases, with alloy shipments weakening. According to a smelter in Raipur that told BigMint, traders had ample inventories and supplied at competitive prices, intensifying market competition. Coupled with sluggish export demand, smelters remained cautious about ordering new manganese ore cargoes. Meanwhile, slowing Chinese buying interest added extra pressure on major overseas miners, prompting them to lower offers to stimulate demand and secure sales.

In July 2026, as MOIL lowered prices to set the market tone, Chinese manganese ore prices weakened, with private suppliers adjusting their quotes accordingly. Low demand for manganese alloys, cautious procurement by ferroalloy producers, and ample raw material supply limited buying interest, leading to price corrections in major producing regions, while prices in Andhra Pradesh remained stable due to balanced local market fundamentals.

In the week ending July 18, Indian manganese alloy prices continued to face pressure due to weak steel demand and subdued export inquiries. Silico-manganese (60-14) prices fell by INR 850/ton week-on-week to INR 74,100-74,700/ton; high-carbon ferromanganese (70%) prices edged down by INR 200/ton due to cautious procurement and ample spot supply. Overseas demand remained low, and export prices also weakened, with high-carbon 65-16 silico-manganese and high-carbon 75% ferromanganese falling by $4/ton and $6/ton, respectively.

In the week of July 5-11, 2026, Indian imported manganese ore (Mn37%, Mn44%, and Mn46%) cargo arrivals totaled 97,938 tons, down 62% from 257,592 tons in the previous week.

In the short term, imported manganese ore prices are expected to face slight pressure due to weak alloy demand, cautious smelter procurement, and ample inventories. However, amid subdued Chinese demand, lower offers from overseas miners may support trading activity, while firm freight rates could limit significant price declines.