US: Manganese alloys imports plunge 77% m-o-m in Feb'23

Manganese alloys imports by the US decreased by 77% m-o-m to 18,882 tonnes (t) in February 2023 against 80,413 t in January. The drop in imports was due to a 6% y-o-y decline in domestic crude steel production to 12.5 million tonnes (mnt) in January-February 2023 in comparison with the same period last year.

Sub-commodity-wise break-up

Ferro manganese
The US imported 11,406 t of ferro manganese in February 2023 compared to 40,054 t in January 2023. Ferro manganese imports drastically fell by 72% m-o-m. Imports of the material decreased as a result of "tight liquidity" and less manufacturing of special steel. Meanwhile, yearly imports of ferro manganese dropped by 12% to 51,459 in January-February 2023 against 59,081 t in January-February 2022.

Silico manganese
Silico manganese imports fell drastically by 81% m-o-m to 7,476 t in February 2023 from 40,360 t in January 2023. Imports declined by 41% y-o-y to 47,836 t in January-February 2023 against 80,428 t in January-February 2022. The major exporting nations were Mexico at 3,346 t, followed by Norway at 3,049 t during February 2023.