Purchases by downstream alloy plants are sluggish, with spot prices in the doldrums [SMM Daily Review]

Published: May 27, 2025 17:48
[SMM Daily Review] Purchase activity at downstream alloy plants was sluggish, with spot prices in the doldrums. May 27: Northern ports: Australian lump ore was priced at 39.5-40.5 yuan/mtu, unchanged WoW from last Tuesday; Australian fines were priced at 36-37 yuan/mtu, down 2.67% WoW from last Tuesday; South African semi-carbonate ore was priced at 33.1-33.6 yuan/mtu, down 1.19% WoW from last Tuesday; Gabon ore was priced at 36.1-37.1 yuan/mtu, down 2.40% WoW from last Tuesday; South African high-iron ore was priced at 29.8-30.3 yuan/mtu, down 0.66% WoW from last Tuesday. Southern ports: Australian lump ore was priced at 39.5-40.5 yuan/mtu, unchanged WoW from last Tuesday; Australian fines were priced at 37-37.5 yuan/mtu, down 3.87% WoW from last Tuesday; South African semi-carbonate ore was priced at 34-34.5 yuan/mtu, unchanged WoW from last Tuesday; Gabon ore was priced at 38.8-39.3 yuan/mtu, down 0.51% WoW from last Tuesday; South African high-iron ore was priced at 28.5-29 yuan/mtu, unchanged WoW from last Tuesday.

On May 27th: Northern ports: Australian lump ore was priced at 39.5-40.5 yuan/mtu, unchanged from last Tuesday on a WoW basis; Australian seed ore was priced at 36-37 yuan/mtu, down 2.67% WoW from last Tuesday; South African semi-carbonate ore was priced at 33.1-33.6 yuan/mtu, down 1.19% WoW from last Tuesday; Gabon ore was priced at 36.1-37.1 yuan/mtu, down 2.40% WoW from last Tuesday; South African high-iron ore was priced at 29.8-30.3 yuan/mtu, down 0.66% WoW from last Tuesday. Southern ports: Australian lump ore was priced at 39.5-40.5 yuan/mtu, unchanged from last Tuesday on a WoW basis; Australian seed ore was priced at 37-37.5 yuan/mtu, down 3.87% WoW from last Tuesday; South African semi-carbonate ore was priced at 34-34.5 yuan/mtu, unchanged from last Tuesday on a WoW basis; Gabon ore was priced at 38.8-39.3 yuan/mtu, down 0.51% WoW from last Tuesday; South African high-iron ore was priced at 28.5-29 yuan/mtu, unchanged from last Tuesday on a WoW basis.

Currently, inventory buildup of manganese ore at ports continues, exacerbating the surplus situation of manganese ore. Downstream alloy plants have shown weak enthusiasm for purchasing manganese ore, often driving down prices during purchases, putting pressure on miners' offers. In addition, the end-use demand for manganese alloys, a downstream product of manganese ore, is weak, with insufficient support from downstream demand for manganese ore. Currently, there are no positive factors in the manganese ore market, and the spot market continues to be in the doldrums.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
Before the holiday, the black chain is unlikely to see a trend-driven market [SMM Steel Industry Chain Weekly Report].
Feb 6, 2026 18:30
Before the holiday, the black chain is unlikely to see a trend-driven market [SMM Steel Industry Chain Weekly Report].
Read More
Before the holiday, the black chain is unlikely to see a trend-driven market [SMM Steel Industry Chain Weekly Report].
Before the holiday, the black chain is unlikely to see a trend-driven market [SMM Steel Industry Chain Weekly Report].
This week, ferrous metals were in the doldrums, with coking coal and coke staging a mid-week rise. At the beginning of the week, financial markets experienced sharp fluctuations, dragging down sentiment in the ferrous chain and leading to a pullback in futures. Mid-week, Indonesia's cut to coke production quotas drove coking coal and coke futures to lead the gains, though the impact was more pronounced on thermal coal, while coking coal's rise was largely sentiment-driven and short-lived. In the latter part of the week, finished products continued their seasonal inventory buildup, and support from the raw material side weakened, causing the entire ferrous chain to pull back. In the spot market, with the Chinese New Year holiday approaching, purchasing activity slowed down further, with end-users only making limited, as-needed purchases at low prices.
Feb 6, 2026 18:30
MMi Daily Iron Ore Report (February 6)
Feb 6, 2026 18:09
MMi Daily Iron Ore Report (February 6)
Read More
MMi Daily Iron Ore Report (February 6)
MMi Daily Iron Ore Report (February 6)
Today, the DCE iron ore futures continued to hit bottom today, with the most-traded contract I2605 closing at 760.5 yuan/mt, down 1.23% from the previous trading day. Spot prices fell by 5–10 yuan/mt compared to the previous trading day.
Feb 6, 2026 18:09
[SMM Chromium Daily Review] Inquiries and Transactions Weakened, Chromium Market Showed Mediocre Performance Before the Holiday
Feb 6, 2026 17:41
[SMM Chromium Daily Review] Inquiries and Transactions Weakened, Chromium Market Showed Mediocre Performance Before the Holiday
Read More
[SMM Chromium Daily Review] Inquiries and Transactions Weakened, Chromium Market Showed Mediocre Performance Before the Holiday
[SMM Chromium Daily Review] Inquiries and Transactions Weakened, Chromium Market Showed Mediocre Performance Before the Holiday
[SMM Chrome Daily Review: Trading and Inquiries Weakened, Chrome Market Showed Mediocre Performance Before the Holiday] February 6, 2026: Today, the ex-factory price of high-carbon ferrochrome in Inner Mongolia was 8,500-8,600 yuan/mt (50% metal content), flat MoM from the previous trading day...
Feb 6, 2026 17:41