Impacted by tropical cyclone Megan, manganese ore imports from Australia and Gabon plunged in April

According to the General Administration of Customs, China's manganese ore imports stood at 2.14 million mt in April, down 0.93% MoM and 30% YoY. The imports in January-April totalled 9.44 million mt, down 8.79% YoY. The imports from Brazil and South Africa increased slightly, as the usage frequency by downstream alloy producers rose. Impacted by tropical cyclone Megan, Australian manganese ore available for sale decreased, leading to plunging imports from Australia and Gabon. Miners no longer held back cargoes. It is expected that manganese ore prices will fluctuate at a high level and manganese ore imports in May will continue to drop slightly.