Japan: Manganese Ore Imports Rise Sharply in Apr’18

According to the Japanese customs, the country witnessed a massive rise of 120% M-o-M in its Manganese Ore imports.

Japan imported 107,824 MT in Apr’18 against 46,340 MT in Mar’18. However, on yearly basis, Japanese Manganese Ore imports decreased by 27% as it imported 147,944 MT in Apr’17.

On the quarterly basis, the import volume of Japan in Q1CY18 is 8% higher than that of Q4CY17. In Q1CY18 Japan imported 351,379 MT against 326,621 MT in Q4CY17.

Japan has increased its import volume in order to hedge against the rising prices of Manganese Ore as Japanese buyers expected a further rise in the price of the commodity.

South Africa, being the largest exporter of Manganese Ore to Japan, witnessed a mammoth increase of 292% M-o-M in its export volume followed by Australia which also registered an increase of 52% M-o-M in its exports to Japan.