Off-Season Demand Coupled With the Chinese New Year Effect Led to a Significant Decline in China's SiMn Exports in January [SMM Analysis]

Published: Mar 20, 2026 18:32

Save

According to the latest release from the General Administration of Customs, SMM statistics showed that China’s SiMn exports were 2,539.52 mt in January 2026, down 50.55% MoM and down 31.84% YoY. China’s SiMn imports were 0 mt in January 2026, down 100% MoM and down 100% YoY. By import and export regional structure, SiMn exports were mainly destined for Indonesia.

According to the latest release from the General Administration of Customs, SMM statistics showed that China’s SiMn exports totaled 2,539.52 mt in January 2026, down 50.55% MoM and 31.84% YoY. China’s SiMn imports were 0 mt in January 2026, down 100% MoM and 100% YoY.

The decline in SiMn exports in January was mainly due to weak demand outside China and the Chinese New Year holiday effect.

January was the traditional off-season for the global steel industry. Steel mills in major export destinations such as Indonesia and Uzbekistan cut production, underwent maintenance, and suspended procurement, causing orders to plunge. In China, high manganese ore import costs and firm spot SiMn prices contrasted with low prices outside China, squeezing export margins, and most enterprises proactively stopped taking new orders. In addition, as the Chinese New Year approached in late January, alloy plants in China took holidays early and logistics services were suspended, bringing order delivery and shipments to a near standstill.

SiMn imports were 0 mt in January, mainly because newly added capacity in northern regions (Inner Mongolia and Ningxia) continued to be released. China’s SiMn production in January fully covered domestic demand, and with high domestic inventory, steel mills mainly adopted purchasing as needed and low-inventory strategies, leaving no incentive for import restocking.

In terms of the regional structure of imports and exports, SiMn exports were mainly destined for Indonesia.

Regarding the sustainability of future SiMn alloy exports: From the macro perspective, it is necessary to track how changes in the global economic environment are transmitted to the overall SiMn market; from the fundamental perspective, focus should be placed on the pace of recovery in production demand from steel mills outside China, as well as changes in capacity release and cost control among China’s SiMn producers.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn

For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn

Related News

1 hour ago

[SMM Steel] Australia Opens AD Investigation into Galvanized Steel Imports from South Korea and Vietnam

[SMM Steel] Australia's Anti-Dumping Commission has launched an anti-dumping investigation into imports of zinc-coated (galvanized) steel from South Korea and Vietnam following a complaint filed by domestic producer BlueScope Steel. The investigation covers imports during January-December 2025, with allegations that the products were sold below normal value and caused material injury to Australia's domestic steel industry. The case adds to the growing number of trade remedy measures affecting global steel trade flows.

1 hour ago

[SMM Steel] US Overtakes Netherlands as Turkey’s Largest Scrap Supplier in Jan-Apr 2026

[SMM Steel] Turkey's scrap imports increased by 0.4% YoY to 6.59 million tonnes in January-April 2026, while import value rose 1.5% YoY to $2.51 billion. The US became Turkey’s largest scrap supplier, with shipments rising 34% YoY to 1.41 million tonnes, overtaking the Netherlands, whose exports fell 26.6% YoY to 861,246 tonnes. Strong growth was also recorded from Romania, while lower imports from Belgium and Germany limited overall import growth.

1 hour ago

[SMM Steel] Japan Launches AD Probe into Flat Steel Imports from China, South Korea and Taiwan

[SMM Steel] Japan has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into imports of flat steel products, including hot-rolled and cold-rolled coils, strips, and sheets, from China, South Korea, and Taiwan. The probe, requested by major steelmakers such as Nippon Steel and JFE Steel, is expected to last one year. Japanese producers allege that imported products were sold at prices of up to 50% below fair market value, causing injury to the domestic industry. The move reflects growing concerns over global steel overcapacity and increasing trade protection measures across major steel-producing regions.

1 hour ago