According to the latest data from SMM Customs, imports of SMM hydrometallurgy intermediate products in March 2026 reached 171,240 mt in physical terms, up 37% MoM and up 1.4% YoY. By country, the main incremental volumes this month came from hydrometallurgy intermediate products imported from Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and New Caledonia.

According to the latest data released by the General Administration of Customs, SMM statistics showed that China's SiMn and FeMn exports in March 2026 totaled 6,161.003 mt, up 213.48% MoM and up 579.32% YoY. Total SiMn and FeMn exports from China from January to March reached 10,665.897 mt, up 116.0% YoY. In March, China's SiMn market first saw a cost rise, which laid the foundation for firm export offers and increased export willingness among enterprises.

According to the latest data from China Customs, China's total nickel sulphate imports in March 2026 reached 6,530 mt in metal content, up 17% MoM and up 61% YoY. China's nickel sulphate exports totaled 114 mt in metal content, up 249% MoM and up 31% YoY. Net imports of nickel sulphate in March 2026 stood at 6,416 mt in metal content, up 16% MoM and up 62% YoY.

According to the latest data from China Customs, China's total nickel sulphate imports in March 2026 reached 6,530 mt in metal content, up 17% MoM and up 61% YoY. China's nickel sulphate exports totaled 114 mt in metal content, up 249% MoM and up 31% YoY. Net imports of nickel sulphate in March 2026 stood at 6,416 mt in metal content, up 16% MoM and up 62% YoY. By country, exports to Japan rose this month, driving total exports higher. On the import side, imports from Indonesia, South Korea and other countries increased this month. Although imports from Finland pulled back, total imports still posted notable growth. Net imports of nickel salts rose this month, largely in line with last month's expectations.

According to the latest data released by the General Administration of Customs, SMM statistics showed that China's total manganese ore imports in March 2026 were 3.1837 million mt, up 38.03% MoM and up 64.86% YoY. Total manganese ore imports from January to March 2026 were approximately 8.9327 million mt, up 3.0717 million mt YoY (approximately 5.8611 million mt imported from January to March 2025), up 52.41% YoY. In March, imports by origin were: Australia (395,700 mt, down 4.2% MoM), South Africa (1.8537 million mt, up 87.16% MoM), Gabon (452,300 mt, up 20.58% MoM), Ghana (196,700 mt, down 27.26% MoM), Brazil (94,800 mt, down 4.91% MoM), and Myanmar (53,900 mt, up 7.99% MoM).

According to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs, in March 2026, China imported 2.63 million tonnes of copper concentrate, up 13.84% month-on-month and 9.86% year-on-year; the cumulative year-on-year increase stood at 6.41%.

[Canada's February Zero-Emission Vehicle Sales Surged Nearly 50%] As the Canadian federal government reinstated the car purchase subsidy of up to CAD 5,000 for battery electric and plug-in hybrid car models, the country's zero-emission vehicle sales recovered significantly in February. The latest data from Statistics Canada showed that the country's zero-emission auto sales in February reached 12,626 units, up 47.2% compared to the same period last year, with the data covering all car model categories.

[EV Sales in Major European Markets Surged Nearly 30% in Q1] According to the latest data from the European Association for Electromobility and automotive research institutions, BEV registrations across 15 major European markets rose 29.4% YoY in Q1 this year, totaling nearly 560,000 units. March alone accounted for over 240,000 units, up 51.3% YoY.

According to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs, in March 2026, China exported 380,000 mt of coal and lignite, down 18.7% YoY; cumulative exports from January to March totaled 1.38 million mt, down 2.1% YoY. In March, China exported 520,000 mt of coke and semi-coke, down 31.8% YoY; cumulative exports from January to March totaled 1.95 million mt, up 10.3% YoY. In March, China imported 39.06 million mt of coal and lignite, up 0.8% YoY; cumulative imports from January to March totaled 116.28 million mt, up 1.3% YoY.

According to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs, in March 2026, China exported 5.28 million mt of steel sheets & plates, down 19.1% YoY; cumulative exports from January to March totaled 14.6 million mt, down 16.3% YoY. In March, China exported 1.92 million mt of steel bars, up 15.5% YoY; cumulative exports from January to March totaled 4.23 million mt, up 2.7% YoY.