On week buying activity, India producers of ferromanganese have reduced their prices by INR500/MT with deals now beijing concluded at INR56,500/MT ex-Raipur and INR57,500/MT ex-Durgapur. Affected by low demand, India producers have lowered prices in the domestic market in order to boost sales, but producers lament for continuous sluggish demand in the last two weeks.

“Each time we think the price is low enough, it manages to slide below that level,”remarked a ferromanganese producers. Traders were also reluctant to buy despite seemingly low prices for ferromanganese. “Nobody wants to buy now and be stuck with it, while the market keeps tanking,”mentioned a trader based in Raipur. Related media assessed that the India steel mills were reportedly cutting down on their Manganese alloy stock to maintain cash flows amid thin or negative margin.

As for export market, “ Demand for ferromanganese is falling on all fronts, both foreign and domestic ,”said a producer source in Durgapur. Oversea media learned that most market participants hold a pessimistic outlook towards the future ferromanganese market trend. At present, India’s export market is still quiet with low activity and now the pressure is on producers to make their offers more competitive. Export offers for 70% min grade is around USD 930/MT FOB India (East Coast) and 75% min is being offered at USD1,000/MT FoB, unchanged W-O-W. Overseas demand for ferromanganese is also really low.

• [Editor:Sophie]