- Smelters reduce production by around 10-20%
- Secondary steelmakers show steady demand
India’s silico manganese prices rose w-o-w due to tight domestic supply following production cuts and a modest revival in export inquiries, especially from Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern markets.
According to BigMint’s assessment on 1 July 2025, domestic prices of 60-14 grade silico manganese edged higher across key Indian regions. Ex-works Raipur prices stood at INR 72,600/tonne (t) ($847/t), up by INR 500/t ($6/t) w-o-w. In Durgapur, prices rose by INR 350/t ($4/t) to INR 71,700/t, while Vizag recorded a sharper increase of INR 700/t ($8/t) to INR 71,900/t ($839/t) ex-works.
The premium 60-15 grade remained steady w-o-w at around INR 73,000-73,800/t ($852-$861/t). Deals for 1,700 t of the 60-14 grade were concluded in Raipur over 25 June-1 July.
Confirmed deals (as per BigMint)
Market overview
Furnace shutdowns impact overall output: Several silico manganese producers across India continued to operate below capacity due to a mix of scheduled maintenance and unfavourable operating conditions. Some small and medium producers temporarily idled furnaces to avoid losses amid volatile input costs, leading to an estimated 10-20% reduction in overall production. This resulted in a notable drop in volumes, especially in central and eastern India, tightening regional supply and creating sporadic material shortages in spot markets.
Secondary steelmakers show steady regional demand: Demand from secondary and mid-sized steel mills remained steady, particularly in Raipur, Durgapur, and Vizag, where silico manganese is a critical additive for steelmaking. These buyers continued procuring on a need-based basis, but the consistent offtake helped absorb available material. Additionally, a few mills increased stockpiling slightly ahead of the expected monsoon-related logistical disruptions, providing additional support to short-term demand and keeping material moving in the market.
Silico manganese export prices inch up w-o-w: Indian silico manganese export prices saw a w-o-w uptick, supported by firm seller sentiment and a rise in overseas inquiries. The limited availability of export-grade material further strengthened prices, reflecting a tightening supply-demand balance in the market. BigMint’s assessments placed the 65-16 grade at $924/t FOB, up $3/t, and the 60-14 variant at $846/t FOB, climbing up by $8/t since the last assessment on 23 June.
South32 lifts manganese ore prices: Additionally, South32 announced prices of its August 2025 manganese ore shipments. South African semi-carbonated lumps (37% grade) will be priced at $3.90/dmtu CIF China, marking a $0.05/dmtu increase m-o-m, driven by labour strikes in South Africa that continue to disrupt mining operations and constrain supply.
Outlook
Silico manganese prices are expected to remain firm in the near term, with MOIL lifting ferro-grade manganese ore prices (both above and below 44% Mn content) by 2% and domestic supply still remaining constrained due to production cuts.
Steady steel sector demand and logistical challenges during the monsoon may further limit supply. Unless there is a significant shift in production or demand, current prices are likely to hold or rise slightly in the coming weeks.
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