The producers of electrolytic manganese metal in China have still maintained a bullish attitude toward sales of this metal for a tightness of actual cargoes even in new year and an offer is higher than US$1,800 per ton CIF Japan. Japanese side is still bidding this metal at US$1,780 - 1,790 CIF but a bullish mood for sales is enlarging. Because of the difficulties to secure manganese carbonate as raw material, Chinese producers have asked to rise price of electrolytic manganese metal by more than US$100 per ton from that prevailed in December of 2006.

However, it is not easy for Japanese side as buyer to grasp how extent is manganese carbonate to be short and this aspect is multiplying a supposition. The highest price of Chinese electrolytic manganese metal in the last 4 years was US$1,750 per ton CIF Japan as recorded in October - December quarter of 2003 and, therefore, the price of US$1,800 CIF in January of 2007 has exceeded the highest one as mentioned above.