An object of the present invention is to provide a ferrite carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer having desired resistance properties and charging properties with small environmental variation of resistivity and charge amount while maintaining the advantages of ferrite carriers, a ferrite carrier for an electrophotographic developer, an electrophotographic developer using the ferrite carrier, and a method for manufacturing the ferrite carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer. In order to solve the problem, a ferrite carrier core material comprising ferrite particles containing 15 mass % or more and 25 mass % or less of Mn, 0.5 mass % or more and 5.0 mass % or less of Mg, 0.05 mass % or more and 4.0 mass % of Sr, and 45 mass % or more and 55 mass % or less of Fe, with Zr localized in the surface thereof is used.