China's manganese ore market has maintained its upward trend during the past week. The mainstream quotations of Australian lump ore with 46 percent Mn content currently stand at $7.16-7.32/dmtu at
China's Tianjin port, while offers of lump ore of 48 percent Mn content are at $7.32/dmtu. Also at Tianjin port, quotations for 44 percent grade Mn ore from
Gabon are at $6.69/dmtu, while offers of South African lump ore of 38 percent Mn content are at $6.69/dmtu.
The Chinese manganese ore market is still continuing on the upward trend which started last year. Stocks of certain grades of ore are on the low side, while the trade volume at northern ports is high. High quotations from overseas suppliers continue to provide support for manganese ore spot prices at Chinese ports. Meanwhile, domestic manganese alloy producers are struggling with high costs and low profits or even losses. It is believed that in March and April the production volumes of local manganese alloy producers will have increased and so demand for manganese ore will be higher, thereby providing support for prices. Accordingly, market players are optimistic on the prospects for the manganese ore price trend in
China in the short term.