India’s imported manganese ore prices soften w-o-w as alloy demand stays weak

• Demand drought drags down manganese alloys
• Comilog holds Oct ’25 offers steady on balanced market

India’s imported manganese ore prices slipped to a one-month low this week, pressured by weak demand for manganese alloys in both domestic and overseas markets.

• Gabonese high-grade manganese ore (44%) was priced at $4.38/dry metric tonne unit (dmtu), down by $0.04/dmtu.
• Australian high-grade manganese ore (46%) prices fell by $0.02/dmtu to $4.68/dmtu.
• South African Mn 37% lumps were down slightly by $0.04/dmtu to $4.14/dmtu,

Market highlights

Manganese alloys prices drop across key markets: India’s manganese alloys market extended its downward trajectory this week, pressured by muted domestic buying and surplus availability.

Silico manganese (60-14) prices slipped by INR 830/t ($9/t) w-o-w, settling in the range of INR 69,700–69,900/t ($791–793/t) across key producing hubs — Durgapur, Raipur, and Vizag. Market participants reported that Raipur prices touched a three-month low, weighed down by subdued global demand, limited export inquiries, and lackluster interest from overseas buyers.

On the export front, silico manganese (65-16) prices also weakened, easing $8/t w-o-w to $923/t FOB Vizag/Haldia, reflecting weak buying momentum in international markets.

In the ferro manganese segment, HC 70% grade prices declined marginally by INR 140/t ($2/t) w-o-w to INR 70,500/t ($800/t) exw-Durgapur. However, Raipur prices remained steady at INR 70,700/t ($802/t), as regional supply-demand dynamics provided some stability. Meanwhile, HC 75% ferro manganese export offers edged lower by $14/t w-o-w, assessed at $890/t FOB Vizag/Haldia.

Market insiders noted that the modest decline in ferro manganese was linked to weak demand from end-users coupled with improved availability from select regional producers. With surplus stocks and subdued steel mill procurement, sentiment across the manganese alloys market remained under pressure.

Looking ahead, traders expect pricing trends to hinge on any recovery in steel mill offtake and export demand, but near-term outlook stays cautious amid oversupply and uncertain global sentiment.

Eramet keeps Oct’25 mn ore offers unchanged: Eramet Comilog has announced its October 2025 manganese ore shipment prices at $4.27/dmtu CIF China for Mn44.5% lumps and $4.07/dmtu for Mn43%, unchanged from the previous month. The decision reflects stable supply-demand conditions and steady sentiment in the Chinese manganese market.

Imported cargo arrivals down w-o-w: Weekly manganese ore cargo arrivals to India decreased by 21% (Mn37%, Mn44%, and Mn46%) to 70,210t over 13-19 August 2025 against 90900 t in the previous week.