India: Imported manganese ore prices ease w-o-w as rising overseas availability curbs fresh buying
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- Indian buyers have ample stocks amid bulk bookings in Feb-Mar
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- Weekly cargo arrivals drop at Indian ports
Rising availability of imported manganese ore at exporting ports exerted downward pressure on Indian prices during the week ended 20 June 2026. In response to subdued buying activity and growing inventories, miners lowered offers to stimulate demand, resulting in a slight decline in CNF India prices w-o-w.
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- Australian high-grade ore (Mn 46%)inched down by $0.06/dmtu w-o-w to $5.74/dmtu CNF Haldia/Vizag.
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- Gabonese high-grade ore (Mn 44%) decreased $0.1/dmtu w-o-w to $5.49/dmtu CNF Haldia/Vizag.
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- South African lumps (Mn 37%) were down by $0.5/dmtu w-o-w to $4.7/dmtu CNF Haldia/Vizag.
Market Overview:
Ample port inventories and easing overseas tightness drag imported ore prices: Improved availability of imported manganese ore at major overseas export hubs, particularly Port Elizabeth (South Africa), Owendo (Gabon), and Port Hedland (Australia), has eased supply tightness in recent weeks. South Africa accounts for nearly 40% of global manganese ore exports, followed by Gabon at around 25% and Australia at 15%. Increased shipments from these origins, coupled with subdued buying interest from key consumers such as India and China, have weighed on market sentiment.
Moreover, sufficient inventories at Indian and Chinese ports have curtailed the need for fresh procurement, prompting miners to lower offers to stimulate demand, sources informed. A key silico manganese producer based in Durgapur informed BigMint that Indian smelters had undertaken bulk purchases of imported manganese ore during February and March 2026, when prices were comparatively lower. These inventories have remained adequate to support current production requirements, limiting spot buying activity and exerting downward pressure on imported manganese ore prices.
Manganese alloys prices remain firm despite recent decline in imported ore prices: Indian manganese alloy prices increased w-o-w, supported by elevated production costs, stronger export demand, and the impending 45 paise/unit hike in power tariffs effective 1 July 2026. Producers continued to consume high-cost manganese ore inventories procured in April 2026, enabling higher offer acceptance despite a recent correction in imported ore prices. Domestic silico manganese (60-14) prices rose by INR 875/t ($9/t), while HC 65-16 export prices increased by $5/t to $923/t FOB Vizag/Haldia. Ferro manganese (70%) prices also edged higher amid firm production costs and limited spot availability, with 75% grade export prices rising by $7/t w-o-w to $918/t FOB Vizag/Haldia. The recent decline in imported manganese ore prices has had little immediate impact on alloy prices, as producers continue to rely on previously booked high-cost inventories and factor in higher power costs from July onward.
Imported manganese ore arrivals down w-o-w: Weekly manganese ore cargo arrivals (Mn37%, Mn44%, and Mn46%) to India decreased by 54% to 135,864 t over 07 -13 June 2026 against 293,686 t in the previous week.
Outlook:
Imported manganese ore prices are expected to remain weak to range-bound in the near term, pressured by ample overseas supply and comfortable inventories in India and China. However, any pickup in alloy demand or supply disruptions at key origins may limit further downside.
