India: MOIL reduces manganese ore prices for June 2026

• Weak demand pressures manganese alloy, ore prices in May'26
  
  
• Slowdown in alloy exports, billet price drop limits demand
  
  

State-owned MOIL Limited has cut manganese ore prices, effective 1 June 2026. Prices of ferro grades with over 44% Mn content were decreased by 6%, while grades below 44% saw a 5% drop. Within the SMGR segment, prices of Mn 30%, Mn 25%, fines, and chemical grades were also reduced by 5%.

Factors affecting prices

Imported high-grade ore prices dip m-o-m: In May 2026, imported high-grade manganese ore prices edged down m-o-m, as weak alloy demand and high dollar rates weighed on imported ore. South African 37% grade averaged $5.23/dmtu, down $0.3/dmtu from April; Australian 46% ore dipped $0.05/dmtu m-o-m to $6.38/dmtu; and Gabonese 44% material dropped by $0.05/dmtu to $5.97/dmtu. Downside pressure persisted in Indias imported manganese ore prices, as inquiries remained weak, tracking the continued decline in manganese alloy prices.

Domestic silico manganese prices decrease m-o-m: Domestic prices of 60-14 grade silico manganese fell by INR 8,000/t (84/t) m-o-m to INR 75,800/t ($792/t) exw Raipur in May, according to BigMint's assessment. Prices declined amid low-priced bulk deals in the spot market and auctions, while weak steelmaker demand and expectations of further corrections kept buyers cautious.

India's silico manganese export offers drop sharply: Silico manganese export offers declined, with 60-14 grade prices down by $77/t m-o-m to $825/t FOB India from $902/t in May. Prices of the higher-grade 65-16 material also decreased by 61/t m-o-m to $905/t FOB India. The correction reflected weak overseas buying interest, cautious steel mill procurement, sluggish steel demand, and geopolitical uncertainty.

Global manganese ore miners trim Jun offers: Major manganese ore suppliers reduced their June 2026 offers to China. South32 Ltd reduced its Mn37% South African semi-carbonated lump ore price by $0.4/dmtu m-o-m to $5/dmtu CIF China, while Eramet Comilog cut prices for Mn44.5% lumps and Mn43% chips by $0.3/dmtu each to $5.45/dmtu and $5.25/dmtu CIF China, respectively.

Indian billet prices drop m-o-m: Domestic billet prices fell by 5% m-o-m to INR 40,100/t ($419/t) exw-Raipur in May, compared with INR 42,400/t ($443/t) in April.