Chinese Manganese Ore Imports Up 19% in 2017

China world's largest steelmaker has witnessed a substantial rise in its Manganese Ore imports in 2017. As per customs data, China imported 21.26 MnT Manganese Ore during 2017 registering total growth of 19% Y-o-Y against 17.98 MnT in 2016.

On monthly premise, China witnessed a decrease in its Manganese Ore imports by 24% M-o-M in Dec'17. China imported 1.64 MnT Manganese Ore in Dec'17 as against 2.15 MnT imports in Nov'17. Moreover, China's imports fell 18% Y-o-Y against 2.01 MnT Manganese Ore imports in Dec'16.

China's appetite for Manganese ore has been increasingly driven by its strong domestic steel market.

South Africa remains the largest Manganese Ore exporter to China

In 2017, China imported 9.26 MnT Manganese Ore from South Africa comprising around 44% share of total Manganese Ore imports in China. Australia, comprising around 19% share of Manganese Ore imports in China, is the second largest exporter at 4.07 MnT and Gabon being the third at 2.07 MnT.

However, in Dec'17, South Africa witnessed a fall in its Manganese Ore exports to China by 30% M-o-M at 0.64 MnT against 0.92 MnT in Nov'17. Such a decrease in South African exports is the result of logistical issue witnessed by the country.

Manganese Ore export from Australia remained stable at 0.37 MnT, while Gabon and Ghana witnessed a 59% M-o-M and 56% M-o-M respectively.