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.

According to the latest release by the General Administration of Customs, SMM statistics show that China's total manganese ore imports in December 2024 reached 2.25 million mt, up 15.94% MoM and up 11.46% YoY. The cumulative import volume from January to December totaled 29.34 million mt, down 7% YoY. Manganese ore imports from Gabon and Ghana increased, while manganese ore exports from South Africa rose significantly. The MoM increase in manganese ore imports in December was mainly due to the rainy season in Gabon during Q1 2025, which increased mining difficulties and reduced manganese ore output. Shipments of manganese ore from Gabon are expected to decrease, prompting Gabon to increase shipments before the rainy season and stockpile manganese ore at ports in advance for Q1 2025. Additionally, domestic SiMn alloy operating rates remained stable, and alloy plants had winter stockpiling demand for manganese ore, leading to moderate demand for manganese ore.

[SMM Analysis: Review of the EMM Market in 2024 and Outlook for 2025] I. Price Aspect: Quarterly Price Review: 2024 Q1: Supply side, some EMM plants resumed production after the Chinese New Year, and combined with the previous inventory buildup on the supply side, EMM supply remained at a relatively high level. Demand side, steel mills resumed production at a slow pace after the Chinese New Year, with purchasing sentiment remaining stable and spot transactions relatively steady. Overall, supply and demand showed a surplus, putting downward pressure on manganese prices. 2024 Q2: Due to unexpected disruptions in Australian ore shipments, manganese ore prices surged significantly. Although EMM primarily relies on domestic ore, the rise in manganese alloy prices stimulated a strong sentiment to stand firm on quotes for EMM. Supply side, manganese-related prices fluctuated upward, prompting idle EMM plants to resume production, leading to an increase in overall EMM production. Demand side, the significant rise in manganese alloy prices made EMM a more economical alternative raw material, boosting demand from downstream stainless steel mills. Supported by downstream demand and the sentiment to stand firm on quotes, spot prices for EMM fluctuated upward. 2024 Q3: Supply side, with a slight reduction in electricity costs, production costs for EMM plants decreased, and some EMM plants undergoing maintenance gradually resumed production, resulting in a relatively sufficient overall supply of EMM. Demand side, steel mills were affected by high temperatures and the rainy season, leading to increased shutdowns and maintenance, marking the traditional off-season for demand. Steel mills showed weaker enthusiasm for EMM procurement. Additionally, due to production losses, steel mills exerted pressure on raw material prices, showing low acceptance of high-priced EMM, causing spot prices for EMM to fluctuate downward.

[SMM Analysis: Review of the Manganese Ore Market in 2024 and Outlook for 2025] I. Price: In 2024, the annual average price of 46% Australian lump at Tianjin Port was 47.66 yuan/mtu, up 16.02% YoY; the annual average price of 45.5% Gabonese lump at Tianjin Port was 45.72 yuan/mtu, up 17.77% YoY; and the annual average price of 37.5% South African semi-carbonate lump at Tianjin Port was 37.31 yuan/mtu, up 15.87% YoY. From the quarterly price review: 2024 Q1: Supply side, manganese ore port arrivals decreased MoM, but combined with previous manganese ore inventory, supply remained sufficient. Demand side, alloy plants mainly made just-in-time procurement, and port inventory destocking accelerated. Overall, despite just-in-time procurement by alloy plants, the supply surplus of manganese ore pressured price increases, leading to manganese ore prices fluctuating downward. 2024 Q2: Influenced by news of disruptions in mine shipments, overseas miners showed strong sentiment to stand firm on quotes. Supply side, manganese ore port arrivals continued to decline, and miners were reluctant to sell, resulting in tight market circulation. Demand side, alloy plants with manganese ore inventory showed strong willingness to resume production, and manganese alloy production increased, boosting procurement enthusiasm for manganese ore and significantly driving up spot prices.

According to the latest release from the General Administration of Customs, in August 2024, China's total manganese ore imports were 2.61 million mt, up 13.97% MoM and up 3.57% YoY.