As Overseas Demand Decreased Amid Summer Breaks, EMM Exports Fell MoM [SMM Analysis]

According to the latest release from the General Administration of Customs, in July 2024, China's exports of unwrought manganese, scrap, and powder were 27,735 mt, down 14.84% MoM, up 8.17% YoY. The exports of wrought manganese and manganese products were 1,835 mt, down 49.44% MoM, down 49.44% YoY. The total exports of EMM and manganese products in July 2024 was 29,600 mt, down 18.31% MoM.

There are two main reasons for the decrease in exports in July. On one hand, due to the summer break overseas, the number of overseas steel mills reducing or halting production increased. At the same time, the market, being in a regular off-season, had limited demand for EMM, leading to generally weak purchasing enthusiasm for EMM, with inquiries and purchases being relatively sluggish. On the other hand, the rise in ocean freight in July increased the overseas transportation costs of EMM. With weak downstream demand, this further suppressed the willingness of the overseas market to purchase EMM. Therefore, overseas purchases of EMM decreased, leading to a MoM decrease in exports.