August 14: North China ports: 46% Australian lumps at 40-40.5 yuan/mtu, flat WoW; South African semi-carbonate ore at 32.2-32.7 yuan/mtu, down WoW; Gabonese ore at 37.8-38.2 yuan/mtu, flat WoW; South African high-iron ore at 28.5-29 yuan/mtu, flat WoW; South African medium-iron ore at 35-35.5 yuan/mtu, flat WoW. South China ports: 46% Australian lumps at 42.9-43.4 yuan/mtu, flat WoW; South African semi-carbonate ore at 36.3-36.8 yuan/mtu, flat WoW; Gabonese ore at 40.6-41.1 yuan/mtu, flat WoW; South African high-iron ore at 31.2-31.7 yuan/mtu, flat WoW; South African medium-iron ore at 38-38.5 yuan/mtu, flat WoW. Demand for manganese ore was subdued, port spot cargoes were elevated, and port manganese ore prices would consolidate at lows in the short term.

As of this Friday, SiMn 6517 (cash) in north China was at 5,700-5,750 yuan/mt, up WoW from last Friday; SiMn 6517 (cash) in south China was at 5,750-5,800 yuan/mt, up WoW from last Friday, and SiMn 6014 (cash) in south China was at 5,350-5,450 yuan/mt, flat WoW from last Friday. Recently, SiMn futures moved sideways in a narrow range with a weak tone, market sentiment was heavily bearish, market prices consolidated at lows, and futures and spot prices were basically in sync.

As of this Friday, SiMn 6517 (cash) in north China stood at 5,600-5,650 yuan/mt, down WoW; SiMn 6517 (cash) in south China stood at 5,700-5,750 yuan/mt, flat WoW; SiMn 6014 (cash) in south China stood at 5,350-5,450 yuan/mt, up WoW. Recently, SiMn futures moved sideways weakly, market sentiment was deeply pessimistic, spot prices fell, and futures and spot prices largely moved in tandem.

Aug 7 News: At north China ports, manganese ore prices declined WoW across all grades: 46% Australian lumps (40-40.5 yuan/mtu), South African semi-carbonate (32.7-33.2 yuan/mtu), Gabonese ore (37.8-38.2 yuan/mtu), South African high-iron ore (28.5-29 yuan/mtu), and South African medium-iron ore (35-35.5 yuan/mtu). At south China ports, manganese ore prices were mixed WoW: 46% Australian lumps (42.9-43.4 yuan/mtu) remained flat, South African semi-carbonate (36.3-36.8 yuan/mtu) declined, Gabonese ore (40.6-41.1 yuan/mtu) declined, South African high-iron ore (31.2-31.7 yuan/mtu) declined, and South African medium-iron ore (38-38.5 yuan/mtu) remained flat. Manganese ore market prices are grinding lower, end-use demand is sluggish, and traders are commonly cutting prices to sell.

[India] Indian long steel prices registered a slight decline across major markets, with buying activity remaining cautious amid the monsoon season. Mandi Gobindgarh TMT held at 503.10 USD/tonne (47,900 INR/tonne), while primary producer offers remained at 525.15 USD/tonne (50,000 INR/tonne) ex-Durgapur. In the semis market, Mandi Gobindgarh billet was unchanged at 447.43 USD/tonne (42,600 INR/tonne), although billet prices in Durgapur and Raipur slipped by 4.20 USD/tonne (400 INR/tonne) and 1.05 USD/tonne (100 INR/tonne), respectively. Export sentiment remained subdued, with Indian HRC offers heard at 490 USD/tonne FOB to European buyers and 520 USD/tonne FOB to Middle Eastern buyers. But buyers were not interested in these levels amid the availability of lower-priced material from other regions. Domestic raw material prices softened in July, led by lower iron ore and manganese ore prices. NMDC reduced Baila lump (65.5%) prices by 4.4% month on month to 57.10 USD/tonne (5,450 INR/tonne) and Baila fines (64%) by 3.1% to 49.30 USD/tonne (4,700 INR/tonne), while MOIL's 37% Mn lump ore declined 5.0% to 194.20 USD/tonne (18,529 INR/tonne).

Since entering Q2 2026, the silicon manganese alloy market has remained under sustained pressure. Prices of upstream raw materials—including manganese ore and coke—have stayed elevated, while downstream steel consumption remains sluggish amid strong price-suppression efforts from mills. The industry is caught in a dual squeeze of “high costs and weak demand,” with losses spreading rapidly from isolated cases to a widespread trend.

As of this Friday, SiMn 6517 (cash) was 5,650-5,700 yuan/mt in north China, flat WoW; in south China, SiMn 6517 (cash) was 5,700-5,750 yuan/mt, unchanged WoW from last Friday; south China SiMn 6014 (cash) was 5,350-5,400 yuan/mt, flat WoW. Recently, SiMn futures moved sideways in a weak trend, market sentiment was heavily cautious, prices fell, and futures prices were basically in sync with spot prices.

July 31 report: North China ports: 46% Australian lumps 40.5-41 yuan/mtu, down WoW; South African semi-carbonate 33.5-34 yuan/mtu, down WoW; Gabonese 38.3-38.7 yuan/mtu, down WoW; South African high-iron 28.8-29.3 yuan/mtu, down WoW; South African medium-iron 36-36.5 yuan/mtu, flat WoW. South China ports: 46% Australian lumps 42.9-43.4 yuan/mtu, flat WoW; South African semi-carbonate 36.5-37 yuan/mtu, down WoW; Gabonese 41.1-41.6 yuan/mtu, up WoW; South African high-iron 31.2-31.7 yuan/mtu, down WoW; South African medium-iron 38-38.5 yuan/mtu, flat WoW. Manganese ore prices continue to grind lower, end-use demand remains weak, and it is common for traders to sell at lower prices.

Anglo American reported that its premium iron ore production decreased by 3% to 15.4 million tonnes during the second quarter of 2026, primarily due to planned plant maintenance at its Kumba operations in South Africa and lower ore grade recovery at Minas-Rio in Brazil. Conversely, the company's manganese ore production increased by 22% to 908,300 tonnes, reflecting a volume recovery from the operational impacts of a tropical cyclone in Australia during the comparative period last year.

As of this Friday, SiMn 6517 (cash) in north China was 5,650-5,700 yuan/mt, down WoW; SiMn 6517 (cash) in south China was 5,700-5,750 yuan/mt, down from last Friday, and SiMn 6014 (cash) in south China was 5,350-5,400 yuan/mt, flat WoW. Recently, SiMn futures were weak and moved sideways in a narrow range, the market was in a strong wait-and-see mood, spot prices fell, and futures and spot prices were largely aligned.