Indonesia: Ferro chrome imports up 15% amid moderate stainless-steel production

Indonesia's ferro chrome imports increased by 15% in June, 2022 to 112,352 tonnes (t) in contrast to 97,360 t in May, 2022. Domestic stainless-steel production rose, which contributed to the increase in volume. The production of stainless steel relies heavily on ferro chrome.

South Africa, a major ferro chrome exporter to Indonesia, supplied 109,961 t, up 35% m-o-m in June. Other major exporting countries were India and China.

Ferro chrome
o Major exporting countries to Indonesia were South Africa (109,961 t), whose volumes were up by 34% m-o-m followed by India (2,351 t), from where volumes dropped by 85%.
o In addition, on a yearly basis, imports increased by 10% to 878,328 t in January-June, 2022 (H1CY22) in contract to 878,328 t in H1CY21.

Chrome ore
o On the contrary, chrome ore imports by Indonesia marked a humongous growth of 8,075% in June 2022 to 39,834 t from a mere 487 t in May, 2022.
o South Africa stood as a major exporting country to Indonesia for chrome ore at 39,810 (up 8125%).

Manganese ore
o Moving further, manganese ore imports increased by 28% in June 2022 to 4,515 t from 3,516 t in May 2022.
o Meanwhile, on a yearly basis, imports of manganese ore increased by 18% to 179,126 t from January to June, 2022. Major exporting countries of manganese ore were Mozambique (2,492 t), followed by China, and Tanzania.