Total manganese ore imports in April increased 53.95% MoM and 38.84% YoY [SMM data]

According to the latest release from the General Administration of Customs, SMM statistics show that China's total manganese ore imports in April 2025 reached 2.97 million mt, up 53.95% MoM and 38.84% YoY. The cumulative imports from January to April amounted to 8.83 million mt, down 69.90% compared to the same period last year. The main reason for the MoM increase in manganese ore imports in April was that shipments of manganese ore from regions such as Gabon, Australia, Ghana, and South Africa all increased. Despite significant losses incurred by alloy plants in both the north and south, the operating rate of alloy plants in north China remained at a relatively high level, maintaining just-in-time procurement of high-grade manganese oxide ore. Consequently, imports of high-grade manganese oxide ore from Gabon and Australia increased MoM.