According to the latest release from the General Administration of Customs, SMM statistics showed that China’s total manganese ore imports in February 2026 were 2.3064 million mt, down 33.00% MoM and up 3.24% YoY. Cumulative imports in January-February were 5.749 million mt, up 46.29% YoY from the same period last year. February imports from Australia were 413,100 mt, down 31.35% MoM; South Africa 990,400 mt, down 49.55% MoM; Gabon 375,100 mt, up 13.01% MoM; Ghana 270,400 mt, up 1.78% MoM; Brazil 99,700 mt, down 17.87% MoM; and Myanmar 49,900 mt, up 14.8% MoM.

According to the latest release from the General Administration of Customs, SMM statistics showed that China’s total manganese ore imports were 3.4426 million mt in January 2026, up 5.14% MoM and up 102.98% YoY. January imports by origin were Australia (601,700 mt, up 3.93% MoM), South Africa (1.963 million mt, up 12.1% MoM), Gabon (331,900 mt, down 11.61% MoM), Ghana (265,700 mt, down 21.39% MoM), Brazil (121,400 mt, up 80.69% MoM), and Myanmar (43,500 mt, down 4.56% MoM).

According to the latest release from the General Administration of Customs, SMM statistics show that China's total manganese ore imports in April 2025 reached 2.97 million mt, up 53.95% MoM and 38.84% YoY. The cumulative imports from January to April amounted to 8.83 million mt, down 69.90% compared to the same period last year. The main reason for the MoM increase in manganese ore imports in April was that shipments of manganese ore from regions such as Gabon, Australia, Ghana, and South Africa all increased. Despite significant losses incurred by alloy plants in both the north and south, the operating rate of alloy plants in north China remained at a relatively high level, maintaining just-in-time procurement of high-grade manganese oxide ore. Consequently, imports of high-grade manganese oxide ore from Gabon and Australia increased MoM.

According to SMM statistics, China's total manganese ore imports in March 2025 were 1.93 million mt, down 13.45% MoM and down 10.60% YoY.

According to the latest release from the General Administration of Customs, SMM statistics show that China's total manganese ore imports in March 2025 were 1.93 million mt, down 13.45% MoM and 10.60% YoY. Cumulative imports from January to March were 5.86 million mt, a 20% decrease YoY. In March 2025, China imported 30,100 mt of manganese ore from Australia, down 63.68% MoM; 1.0748 million mt from South Africa, down 12.1% MoM; 244,700 mt from Gabon, up 34.39% MoM; 295,500 mt from Ghana, down 44.51% MoM; 32,900 mt from Brazil, down 62.41% MoM; and 69,900 mt from Myanmar, up 50.92% MoM. The main reasons for the MoM increase in manganese ore imports in March were: alloy plants mostly maintained low inventory raw material production, resulting in weak purchasing enthusiasm for manganese ore. Additionally, Australian and Brazilian manganese ore saw reduced economic competitiveness compared to other varieties, and domestic demand was limited, leading to a decline in imports.

According to the latest release by the General Administration of Customs, SMM statistics showed that China's total manganese ore imports in January 2025 were 1.7 million mt, down 33.55% MoM and 40.28% YoY. In February 2025, China's total manganese ore imports were 2.23 million mt, up 31.71% MoM but down 2.87% YoY. The cumulative imports for January-February amounted to 3.93 million mt, a 23.54% YoY decline. The main reasons for the MoM decrease in manganese ore imports during January-February were: slow progress in repairing docks in Gabon, leading to reduced shipments of manganese ore from the region in Q1. Additionally, there was no news of resumed manganese ore shipments from South32, and Australian ore imports had not seen significant growth. Furthermore, the operating rates of manganese alloy plants slightly decreased in January-February, with sufficient manganese ore inventory, resulting in weaker purchasing enthusiasm for manganese ore.