For the Quarter Ending June 2026
Silico Manganese Prices in APAC
- In China, the Silico Manganese Price Index rose by 8.09% quarter-over-quarter, supported by ore supply.
- The average Silico Manganese price for the quarter was approximately USD 828.67/MT, reflecting mill procurement.
- Silico Manganese Spot Price movements were range-bound amid balanced inventories, merchant stocks limiting upwards volatility.
- Silico Manganese Production Cost Trend showed bias as higher coke and electricity costs compressed margins.
- Silico Manganese Demand Outlook remained modest, driven by rebar restocking constrained by weak property activity.
- Silico Manganese Price Forecast indicates firming as supply disruptions and higher freight insurance support offers.
- Silico Manganese Price Index volatility reflects signals from ore arrivals, mill operating rates and infrastructure demand.
- Export enquiries from Southeast Asia and production adjustments influenced merchant availability and short-term pricing behavior.
Why did the price of Silico Manganese change in June 2026 in APAC?
- Tighter ore inflows from key exporters and localized plant suspensions reduced feedstock availability, supporting prices.
- Stable domestic demand from rebar mills balanced restocking needs, preventing price spikes despite low buying.
- Higher freight and insurance premiums elevated landed ore costs, exerting upward pressure on smelter costs.
India
- In India, the Silico Manganese Price Index rose by 5.83% quarter-over-quarter, driven by higher ore costs.
- Silico Manganese Spot Price advances reflected feedstock inflation after MOIL ore hikes, pressuring smelter margins and offers.
Silico Manganese Prices in North America
- Silico Manganese Spot Price firmed through April and May before stabilizing in June, driven by tighter import arrivals from major offshore suppliers and steady domestic mill procurement.
- Silico Manganese Production Cost Trend increased significantly due to higher imported manganese ore prices (up 6% quarter-over-quarter) and rising U.S. electricity costs for submerged-arc furnace operations.
- Silico Manganese Price Forecast indicates continued upward bias into Q3 2026, with potential acceleration if U.S. Section 232 import quota adjustments further restrict offshore volumes.
- Silico Manganese Demand Outlook remains constructive, supported by consistent offtake from electric-arc furnace (EAF) steel mills producing rebar and merchant bar, though construction activity showed moderate seasonal softness.
- Major domestic consumers, including steel mini-mills in the Midwest and Southeast, maintained steady order books, while imported material from India and South Africa faced logistical delays at Gulf Coast ports.
- Merchant inventories at key distribution hubs decreased by approximately 7% over the quarter, contributing to the upward trajectory of the Silico Manganese Price Index as buyers competed for prompt material.
Why did the price of Silico Manganese change in June 2026 in North America?
- Prices increased in June 2026 primarily due to a 10-day port congestion event at the Port of New Orleans, which delayed the clearance of approximately 15,000 metric tons of imported silico manganese from India and South Africa, tightening prompt availability.
- Additionally, a 5.5% month-over-month increase in imported manganese ore (Mn 44%) prices raised the Silico Manganese Production Cost Trend, prompting domestic distributors to adjust offer levels upward to protect margins.
- Stronger-than-expected U.S. rebar production in June, driven by infrastructure project restocking, lifted the Silico Manganese Spot Price as mills increased spot purchases to supplement contracted volumes amid the supply hiccup.
Silico Manganese Prices in Europe
- Silico Manganese Spot Price showed gradual upward momentum throughout the quarter, though transactions remained subdued as buyers balanced restocking needs against cautious end-market sentiment.
- Silico Manganese Production Cost Trend rose sharply due to record-high European power prices and a 7% increase in landed manganese ore costs, severely compressing smelter margins across the region.
- Silico Manganese Price Forecast projects sustained firmness into Q3, though a correction is possible if hydroelectric generation improves and energy tariffs moderate in the second half of the year.
- Silico Manganese Demand Outlook is mixed; demand from Southern European rebar mills remained steady, while Northern European special steel producers reduced intake due to weaker automotive and machinery orders.
- European production capacity operated at approximately 72% utilization, with one Slovakian smelter temporarily idling a furnace in May due to unprofitable energy costs, reducing regional supply.
- Rotterdam port inventories declined by 5% over the quarter, while arrivals from non-EU origins were delayed by Red Sea routing diversions, adding support to the Silico Manganese Price Index throughout the period.
Why did the price of Silico Manganese change in June 2026 in Europe?
- Increase – Prices increased in June 2026 primarily because of a sustained surge in European wholesale electricity prices, which reached a three-month high in June and directly elevated the Silico Manganese Production Cost Trend for furnace-based producers.
- Concurrently, manganese ore supply from South Africa faced rail logistic bottlenecks at the Saldanha Bay port, reducing export availability to Europe and raising landed ore costs for European smelters.
- The temporary idling of a Slovakian furnace in May created a regional supply deficit that persisted into June, tightening the Silico Manganese Spot Price as domestic buyers sought alternate cargoes from already constrained import channels, further pushing the Silico Manganese Price Index upward.
For the Quarter Ending March 2026
Silico Manganese Prices in North America
- In North America, the Silico Manganese Price Index moved upward over the quarter due to constrained domestic output and higher import parity.
- Tightening availability of alternative feeds tightened the Silico Manganese Spot Price, particularly for prompt delivery.
- Rising natural gas and electrode costs elevated the Silico Manganese Production Cost Trend, forcing regional producers to adjust offer levels.
- Resilient steel mill capacity utilization supported the Silico Manganese Demand Outlook, despite cautious inventory management.
- The Silico Manganese Price Forecast suggests continued support from trade case uncertainties and logistics delays.
- Limited deep-sea cargo arrivals and higher European price floors shifted regional trade flows, tightening physical availability.
- Producer inventory drawdowns and cautious Q2 contract negotiations kept the Silico Manganese Price Index sensitive to supply shocks.
Why did the price of Silico Manganese change in March 2026 in North America?
- Prices increased due to delayed vessel arrivals from key exporting origins, which reduced spot availability just as quarterly mill restocking began, prompting buyers to accept higher offers.
Silico Manganese Prices in APAC
- In China, the Silico Manganese Price Index rose by 7.63% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting stronger downstream restocking.
- The average Silico Manganese price for the quarter was approximately USD 766.67/MT per regional assessment.
- Tight ore arrivals tightened Silico Manganese Spot Price and kept the Price Index pressured upward.
- Rising freight and energy elevated the Silico Manganese Production Cost Trend, supporting higher supplier offers.
- Post holiday construction restocking underpinned the Silico Manganese Demand Outlook, sustaining mill procurement activity levels.
- Analyst Silico Manganese Price Forecast indicates modest near term gains, tempered by new capacity additions.
- Volatile ore supply and import restrictions pushed the Silico Manganese Price Index into tighter ranges.
- Falling merchant inventories and scheduled furnace restarts affected availability, while export demand remained muted regionally.
Why did the price of Silico Manganese change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Tightened manganese ore shipments and port congestion reduced feedstock availability, tightening allocations and pressuring offers.
- Higher coal, freight and insurance costs increased smelting costs, supporting upward price pressure for producers.
- Post holiday mill restocking and furnace curtailments tightened spot availability, prompting mills accept firmer offers.
Silico Manganese Prices in Europe
- In Europe, the Silico Manganese Price Index strengthened quarter-over-quarter, driven by higher energy costs and reduced import volumes.
- Limited spot availability and sustained alloy demand tightened the Silico Manganese Spot Price across major trading hubs.
- Elevated electricity and carbon allowance costs significantly influenced the Silico Manganese Production Cost Trend, compressing smelter margins.
- Stable automotive and construction steel production underpinned the Silico Manganese Demand Outlook, though buyers resisted sharp increases.
- The Silico Manganese Price Forecast points to further upside if power prices remain elevated and Asian export availability declines.
- Trade flow disruptions via Red Sea alternative routes extended lead times, supporting the Silico Manganese Price Index.
- Lower merchant inventories and selective producer restarts affected near-term availability, with demand remaining steady.
Why did the price of Silico Manganese change in March 2026 in Europe?
- Prices increased in March 2026 due to a convergence of higher quarterly power contract settlements and reduced allocation from South African and Indian suppliers, tightening spot liquidity and lifting transaction levels.
