During the week ending September 12, metallurgical coke prices in the Chinese domestic market have followed a stable trend, while transaction activity has been at decent levels. As of September 12, coke futures contract (1501) offers at Dalian Commodity Exchange closed at RMB 1,074/mt ($175/mt), down $2/mt week on week. Local coke prices in the Chinese domestic market can be viewed in the SteelOrbis price reports section.
During the given week, domestic steelmakers have been operated at comparatively high capacity utilization rates, exerting a positive impact on demand for coke. Meanwhile, supply volumes from coking plants have been at sufficient levels, contributing to the stability of coke prices. At the same time, coking coal prices have moved sideways, also providing support for the stable trend of coke prices. Although the recent declines in prices of finished steel and iron ore have exerted some downward pressure on coke prices, inventories of coke held by steelmakers are on the low side and so demand for coke from steelmakers has also been at good levels for this reason. It is expected that coke prices in the Chinese domestic market will continue to indicate a stable trend in the coming week.