South Africa: Manganese ore exports rise 46% in Jan'23 amid moderate demand

South Africa's manganese ore exports increased by 46% m-o-m to 2.18 million tonnes (mnt) in January 2023 compared to 1.49 mnt in December 2022. The increase in exports in January was due to low inventories in key markets and moderate demand for manganese alloys.
Additionally, further increase in manganese ore prices also led to purchasers expressing interest in exporting in January.

The major importing countries were China (over 1.56 mnt), followed by India (0.16 mnt), and Malaysia (0.10 mnt).

Meanwhile, in January 2023, exports increased by 10% y-o-y to 2.18 mnt compared to last year 1.98 in January 2022.

• Exports to China up 31%: Manganese ore imports by China increased by 31% in January 2023. With the improvement of manganese alloy production in China and the prospect of an uptrend in manganese ore prices in the future, buyers started buying to stock up, which resulted in imports rising in January.
  
  
• Exports to India down 12%: India imported 0.161 mnt of manganese ore in January 2023, a decrease of 12% m-o-m. Manufacturing volumes were reduced as a result of low export demand, and some mills had to go through maintenance. Consequently, imports declined the month.
  
  
• Exports to Singapore rise 36%: South African manganese ore exports to Singapore increased by 36% m-o-m to 0.068 mnt in January 2023.