South Africa: Manganese ore exports surge over 30% m-o-m in Nov'22

South Africa's manganese ore exports increased by 31% m-o-m to 1.60 million tonnes (mnt) in November 2022 compared to 1.22 mnt in October. The increase in exports from South Africa in November was due to low inventories in key markets. The decline in prices of manganese ore also resulted in purchasers showing interest in exports.

The major importing countries were China (over 1 mnt), followed by India (230,848 t), Singapore (60,000 t) and Latvia (69,112 t). Meanwhile, in January-November 2022, exports dropped 2% y-o-y at 19.25 mnt compared to the corresponding period last year.

• Exports to China rise 18%
  Manganese ore imports by China increased by 18% in November. As the price of manganese ore declined, China bought more of the mineral to keep stocks at its disposal.
  
  
• Exports to India up 4%
  India imported 230,848 t of manganese ore in November, an increase of 4% m-o-m. Manufacturers predict that as demand has increased and buyers are looking to acquire more inventory, manganese ore prices would continue to improve from now on.
  
  
• Exports to South Korea up 45%
  South African manganese ore exports to South Korea increased by 45% m-o-m to 50,045 t in November. However, in the January-November period, total exports fell by 14% to 566,647 t.