China Manganese Ore Imports Fell in May as Sharp Price Rise Suppressed Buying Interest

SHANGHAI, June 29 (SMM) - According to the latest release of the General Administration of Customs, China imported 2.24 million mt of manganese ore in May 2022, a month-on-month decrease of 16% and year-on-year decrease of 21%. Imports amounted to 11.74 million mt from January to May. The export volume was zero in May, and the cumulative export volume from January to May was 9,000 mt. 
Imports from South Africa were 1.03 million mt in May, down 18% month-on-month; imports from Gabon were 510,000 mt, an increase of 23% month-on-month; imports from Australia were 310,000 mt, a month-on-month increase of 5%; imports from Brazil were 20,000 mt, a drop of 91% month-on-month; imports from Ghana were 180,000 mt, down 13% MoM.

Overseas mines significantly raised their offers for shipments in April, which cooled down buying interest. As a result, imports declined MoM in May. The offers of Gabonese manganese ore rose $1.65/mtu MoM, those of South African semi carbonate manganese ore climbed $1.2/mtu MoM, and those of Australian manganese ore lumps rose $1.82/mtu MoM.