Most international prices in this comparison are quoted in US dollars per tonne on a CIF China basis. Indian prices are quoted separately in rupees per tonne on an ex-factory basis, so they should not be directly compared with the CIF China figures.
South African Chrome Ore Prices Moved Lower
Every South African chrome ore category in the data was priced lower in July than it had been in June.
South African 40–42% concentrate shipped in bulk decreased from USD 280–290 per tonne to USD 275–285 per tonne. Containerised material of the same grade also fell by USD 5 per tonne, moving from USD 270–280 to USD 265–275.
The price of 42–44% concentrate followed the same pattern. Bulk shipments declined from USD 305–315 per tonne to USD 300–310, while container shipments moved from USD 295–305 to USD 290–300.
Larger decreases were recorded for South African run-of-mine and lumpy products. The price ranges for 38–40% ROM, 40–42% ROM, 36–38% lumpy ore and 38–40% lumpy ore all fell by USD 10 per tonne.
South African 44–46% powder remained the country’s highest-priced product in the July figures, despite decreasing from USD 325–335 per tonne to USD 320–330.
The figures also continued to show a USD 10 per tonne difference between bulk and container shipments of equivalent South African concentrate grades.
Turkish Lumpy Ore Prices Increased
Turkey presented a mixed picture in July.
The price of Turkish 46–48% concentrate decreased by USD 10 per tonne, moving from USD 375–385 in June to USD 365–375 in July.
Turkish lumpy ore moved in the opposite direction. Prices for the 36–38%, 38–40% and 40–42% grades each increased by USD 10 per tonne.
As a result, Turkish 40–42% lumpy ore reached USD 330–340 per tonne in July, compared with USD 320–330 in June. The 38–40% grade rose to USD 310–320, while 36–38% lumpy ore increased to USD 290–300.
Albanian Prices Were Mostly Stable
Prices for Albanian lumpy ore were unchanged between the two reporting dates.
Albanian 40–42% lumpy ore remained at USD 325–335 per tonne, while 38–40% material held at USD 305–315.
The country’s higher-grade 48–50% concentrate declined by USD 10 per tonne, falling from USD 380–390 in June to USD 370–380 in July.
Despite the decrease, Albanian 48–50% concentrate remained the highest-priced chrome ore product listed in the July CIF China data.
Pakistan, Iran and Sudan Recorded Increases
Most of Pakistan’s lumpy ore prices rose during the month.
Pakistan’s 40–42%, 36–38% and 30–32% lumpy grades each increased by USD 10 per tonne. The country’s 40–42% lumpy ore reached USD 325–335 per tonne, putting it in the same July price range as equivalent material from Albania, Iran and Sudan.
Pakistan’s 46–48% concentrate was unchanged at USD 335–345 per tonne.
Iranian and Sudanese 40–42% lumpy ore also increased by USD 10 per tonne, moving from USD 315–325 in June to USD 325–335 in July.
Oman Remained at the Lower End of the Market
Omani lumpy ore prices increased across all three grades included in the report.
The 28–30% grade rose from USD 165–175 per tonne to USD 175–185. Prices for 30–32% material increased to USD 195–205, while 32–34% lumpy ore reached USD 215–225.
Although each category increased by USD 10 per tonne, Oman remained the lowest-priced origin in the July CIF China figures. The lower prices also reflected the lower Cr₂O₃ grades listed for Omani material.
Zimbabwean Concentrate Prices Fell
Zimbabwe recorded some of the largest declines in the comparison.
The price of 46–48% concentrate fell from USD 350–360 per tonne in June to USD 335–345 in July. Zimbabwean 48–50% concentrate decreased from USD 370–380 to USD 355–365.
Both products therefore declined by USD 15 per tonne.
Madagascar’s 46–48% concentrate remained unchanged at USD 325–335 per tonne.
Indian Ex-Factory Prices Increased
Unlike many of the higher-grade CIF China concentrate prices, Indian ex-factory prices moved higher.
Indian 48–50% friable chrome ore increased from INR 24,953 to INR 25,613 per tonne. The 52–54% grade rose from INR 27,494 to INR 28,097, while material grading above 54% increased from INR 28,613 to INR 29,251 per tonne.
These figures use a different currency and trade term, so they are best assessed as a separate domestic market movement rather than compared directly with the US dollar CIF China prices.
A Mixed Month for the Chrome Ore Market
The June-to-July comparison does not show one single direction across the global chrome ore market.
South African products and several premium concentrates moved lower, while lumpy ore from a number of origins gained ground. Grades, product form, origin and shipping arrangements continued to create considerable differences between price ranges.
For buyers and sellers, this means that headline chrome ore prices only tell part of the story. Meaningful comparisons still need to account for Cr₂O₃ content, whether the material is concentrated, ROM, powder or lumpy ore, and the trade terms attached to the quoted price.
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