India: Imported manganese ore slips w-o-w on weaker alloy prices, softer miner offers

• Demand from alloy producers softens amid sluggish steel market
• Eramet reduces August manganese ore offers by $0.08/dmtu m-o-m

Imported manganese ore prices edged down in the week ending 11 July 2026, pressured by weaker manganese alloy prices amid subdued demand in both domestic and export markets. Soft alloy demand continued to discourage Indian smelters from placing fresh ore orders, as most preferred to rely on existing inventories. Meanwhile, major Gabonese miner Eramet reduced its August 2026 offers, further weighing on seaborne ore prices and reinforcing the bearish market sentiment.

• Australian high-grade ore (Mn 46%) inched down by $0.15/dmtu w-o-w to $5.45/dmtu CNF Haldia/Vizag.
• Gabonese high-grade ore (Mn 44%) decreased $0.13/dmtu w-o-w to $5.17/dmtu CNF Haldia/Vizag.
• South African lumps (Mn 37%) were down by $0.4/dmtu w-o-w to $4.61/dmtu CNF Haldia/Vizag.

Market overview 

Sluggish steel demand weighs on Indian manganese alloy prices: Indian manganese alloy prices weakened w-o-w as sluggish domestic steel demand and subdued export enquiries continued to weigh on buying sentiment. Silico manganese (60-14) prices declined by INR 750/t ($8/t) to INR 74,900-75,600/t ($786-793/t), while HC 65-16 export prices slipped by $5/t to $918/t FOB Vizag/Haldia. Ferro manganese (70%) prices also eased by INR 400-500/t across key markets amid comfortable supply and cautious procurement, with HC 75% export prices falling by $4/t to $926/t FOB Vizag/Haldia.

Eramet trims August ore offers amid subdued manganese market: Eramet Comilog reduced its August 2026 manganese ore offer prices, lowering Mn 44.5% ore to $5.10/dmtu and Mn 43% ore to $4.90/dmtu, both down by $0.08/dmtu m-o-m. The price reduction reflects softer market sentiment and weaker buying interest, as subdued manganese alloy demand has prompted buyers to remain cautious with fresh bookings.

Imported manganese ore arrivals rise w-o-w: Weekly manganese ore cargo arrivals (Mn37%, Mn44%, and Mn46%) to India increased by 45% to 257,592 t over 28 June-04 July 2026 against 177,450 t in the previous week.

Outlook
Imported manganese ore prices are expected to remain under mild pressure, as weak manganese alloy demand, comfortable smelter inventories, and lower overseas miner offers continue to curb fresh buying. However, any recovery in alloy demand could provide price support.