India: Imported manganese ore prices remain stable amid subdued buying interest

• Inquiries slow down amid freight uncertainty, logistical constraints
• Manganese alloys prices rise amid tight spot supply, higher input costs

Imported manganese ore prices remained stable w-o-w in India in the week ended 26 September 2026, while buying inquiries weakened amid rising freight uncertainty and logistical constraints. Buyers have adopted a cautious approach to fresh bookings as higher ocean freight and container availability issues have increased landed-cost uncertainty.

• Australian high-grade manganese ore (Mn 46%) prices remained stable w-o-w at $5.22/dmtu CNF Haldia/Vizag.
• Gabonese high-grade manganese ore (Mn 44%) prices remained unchanged w-o-w at $4.86/dmtu CNF Haldia/Vizag.
• South African manganese lumps (Mn 37%) prices remained stable w-o-w at $4.22/dmtu CNF Haldia/Vizag

Market overview

Rising freights, container shortages weigh on manganese ore imports: Imported manganese ore inquiries have declined as elevated freights and container availability constraints weigh on buying decisions. Limited availability of empty containers, particularly 40-ft equipment, has added uncertainty to shipment schedules and landed costs.

Meanwhile, Brent crude futures rose from around $83/bbl on 28 August to nearly $94/bbl on 28 September, briefly crossing $109/bbl in mid-September, increasing bunker and ocean freight costs. Higher freight, coupled with container constraints, has prompted buyers to defer fresh manganese ore bookings despite stable ore offers, sources informed.

Manganese alloy prices rise w-o-w amid tighter availability: Manganese alloy prices increased w-o-w, supported by production curtailments, tighter spot availability and higher input costs. Silico manganese prices rose by INR 1,850/t w-o-w to INR 79,200-79,900/t, while 65-16 export offers increased by $17/t to $952/t FOB Vizag/Haldia. Limited spot availability allowed producers to maintain firm offers despite measured downstream buying.

Ferro manganese prices also strengthened, with Durgapur prices rising INR 2,200/t to INR 84,800/t exw and Raipur prices up INR 1,900/t to INR 85,000/t. Higher manganese ore and coke costs, tighter availability, and improved steel-sector demand supported the increase, while elevated input costs reduced sellers’ willingness to offer discounts.

Imported manganese ore arrivals in India down w-o-w: Weekly manganese ore cargo arrivals (Mn37%, Mn44%, and Mn46%) to India decreased by 7% to 227,817 t over 13-19 September 2026 against 243710 t in the previous week.

Outlook
Imported manganese ore prices are expected to remain firm to range-bound in the near term, with upside potential if global miners continue to raise offers. Elevated crude-linked freight, container constraints and higher replacement costs are likely to limit downside, although subdued spot buying could cap near-term gains.