[SMM Chrome Daily Review: Price Gains Slowed, and the Chrome Market Operated Steadily] March 23, 2026 News: Quotations for chrome ore and ferrochrome remained unchanged for the time being...

Combined for January and February 2026, China’s cumulative chrome ore imports reached 4.0144 million tons, up 13.2% year-on-year. Breakdown by origin: imports from South Africa were 3.2422 million tons (up 6.2% year-on-year), imports from Turkey were 184,700 tons (up 55.8% year-on-year), and imports from Zimbabwe were 400,000 tons (up 70.3% year-on-year).

According to statistics released by China Customs, China's total chrome ore imports reached 2.8247 million tons in December 2025, up 16.4% month-on-month and a whopping 41.8% year-on-year, hitting a record high.

【SMM Analysis: Chrome Ore Imports Remain High Despite Insufficient Demand, Bullish Expectations Drive Chrome Ore Prices to Fluctuate Upward】According to China Customs statistics, China's chrome ore imports in January 2025 reached 1.7226 million mt, down 276,100 mt MoM, a decrease of 13.81%, and down 234,800 mt YoY, a decrease of 12%. In January, China imported 1.4556 million mt of chrome ore from South Africa. In February 2025, China's chrome ore imports reached 1.8244 million mt, up 101,800 mt MoM, an increase of 5.91%, and up 363,200 mt YoY, an increase of 24.85%. In February, China imported 1.5981 million mt of chrome ore from South Africa. From January to February 2025, China's total chrome ore imports reached 3.547 million mt, up 128,400 mt YoY, an increase of 3.75.

[SMM Analysis: Chrome Ore Imports Reached a Record High of 1.9987 Million mt in December] According to Chinese customs statistics, China's chrome ore imports in December 2024 totaled 1.9987 million mt, up 279,500 mt MoM (16.26%) and up 2,500 mt YoY (0.13%). In December, China imported 1.6392 million mt of chrome ore from South Africa. From January to December 2024, China's total chrome ore imports reached 20.9391 million mt, up 2.6065 million mt YoY (14.22%)...

[SMM Analysis: Review of High-Carbon Ferrochrome Market in 2024 and Outlook for 2025] High-carbon ferrochrome production saw a significant increase in 2024, reaching a historical high of over 800,000 mt in June. The total production for 2024 reached 8.56 million mt, up 1.4442 million mt YoY, an increase of 19.94%. In 2024, Inner Mongolia's production exceeded 6 million mt, up 1.53 million mt YoY, an increase of 34%...