On July 29, China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) issued its overview of the situation in the Chinese domestic coal market in the current year.
In the first quarter of 2011, the Chinese coal market had been following a stable trend. Subsequently, from late March through late May, coal prices in the domestic market trended up continuously. Entering into June, the uptrend slowed down. At present, prices are maintaining their high levels. On July 11, the price of thermal coal at Qinghuangdao port stood at RMB 845-860/mt ($131-133/mt), up 9.2 percent from early this year, but neutral with the end of June.
In the January-June period, coal shipments at the main ports of China rose by 20.1 percent year on year, while coal shipments via China's railways rose by 13.2 percent year on year.
In the first half of 2011, China's coal imports amounted to 70.49 million mt, down 11.8 percent year on year, while its coal exports totaled 8.75 million mt, decreasing by 13.7 percent year on year.