South Africa: Manganese ore exports drop 27% m-o-m in Feb'23

South Africa's manganese ore exports dropped by 27% m-o-m to 1.59 million tonnes (mnt) in February 2023 against 2.18 mnt in January 2023. Exports fell in February because "muted demand" hampered manufacturers' enthusiasm for production. Moreover, market liquidity issues persisted. As a result, demand from importing countries dropped.

The major importing countries were China (over 0.951 mnt), followed by India (0.362 mnt), and Singapore (0.076 mnt).

In contrast, shipments rose by 3% year-on-year (y-o-y) to 3.78 mnt in January-February 2023 from 3.66 mnt in February-January 2022.

• Exports to China fall 39%: Manganese ore imports by China decreased 39% in February 2023. Due to weak market demand for steel, downstream steel mills' requirement of manganese ore was reduced during the month under review.
  
  
• Exports to India up 125%: India imported 0.362 mnt of manganese ore in February 2023, an increase of 125% m-o-m.
  
  
• Exports to Singapore rise 36%: South African manganese ore exports to Singapore increased by 36% m-o-m to 0.076 mnt in February 2023.
  
  
• Exports to South Korea fall 51%: South Korea's manganese ore imports dropped by 51% m-o-m to 0.020 mnt in February 2023.
  
  
• Exports to Japan fall 68%: Japan's manganese ore imports fell by 68% to 0.030 mnt in February 2023 against 0.092 in January 2023.