[SMM Chromium Flash] South Africa's July Chrome Ore Exports Hit 2026 High of 2.65 Mt as Buyer Base Broadens
South Africa's chrome ore exports rose to approximately 2.65 million tonnes in July 2026, up 10.3% month-on-month from June's 2.40 million tonnes and the highest monthly total recorded so far this year, surpassing April's previous high. China remained the dominant destination at 1.784 million tonnes, though its share of total exports eased slightly from 67.6% to 67.3% as growth broadened across smaller buyers.
The clearest shift came among secondary destinations: Indonesia's imports nearly doubled month-on-month to 150,000 tonnes, overtaking the UAE, whose volumes fell 38.3% to 116,100 tonnes. Indonesia's gain tracks its expanding domestic ferrochrome and stainless steel capacity, while the UAE's decline is consistent with its role as a re-export trading hub rather than an end-use market. South Africa's proposed ITAC export-permit system and export tax remain unimplemented as of July.