During the week ending August 29, local coke prices in China have remained stable compared to August 22 as steel mills have not accepted a proposed eighth round of price increases.
First-grade coke prices in Tangshan are at RMB 1,670/mt ($235.1/mt) ex-warehouse, moving sideways compared to August 22, according to SteelOrbis’ data.
Prices of coke in local markets in China
| Product Name | Specification | Place of Origin | Price(RMB/mt) | Price ($/mt) | Weekly Change(RMB/mt) | Weekly Change($/mt) |
| Coke | First grade (A<13.0,S<0.75,CSR>65.0) | Hancheng, Shaanxi | 1,610 | 226.7 | 0.0 | 0.9 |
| Zibo, Shandong | 1,745 | 245.7 | 0.0 | 1.0 | ||
| Pingdingshan, Henan | 1,595 | 224.6 | 0.0 | 0.9 | ||
| Tangshan | 1,670 | 235.1 | 0.0 | 1.0 | ||
| Huaibei, Anhui | 1,645 | 231.6 | 0.0 | 0.9 | ||
| Average | 1,653 | 232.7 | 0.0 | 0.9 |
including 13 percent VAT
Prices of coking coal in local markets in China
| Product Name | Specification | Place of Origin | Price(RMB/mt) | Price ($/mt) | Weekly Change(RMB/mt) | Weekly Change($/mt) |
| Coking Coal | A9,S0.4,V19,G88 | Linfen low-sulfur primary coking coal | 1,480 | 208.4 | 0.0 | 0.8 |
| A10.5,S3,V25,G80 | Lveliang high-sulfur primary coking coal | 1,075 | 151.3 | -53.0 | -6.8 | |
| A10,S1.8,V21,G90 | Jinzhong medium-sulfur primary coal | 1,076 | 151.5 | 0.0 | 0.6 | |
| A12,S1.2,V37.G90 | Linfen low-sulfur 1/3 coking coal | 1,150 | 161.9 | 0.0 | 0.7 | |
| Average | 1,195.25 | 168.3 | -13.3 | -1.2 |
Coke prices in the Chinese domestic market have remained unchanged as downstream users have been unwilling to accept the eighth round of rises in coke prices, even considering that the supply of coke has been characterized by a certain shortage. Demand from steelmakers has also weakened due to production cuts and their profitability has been lower. After the military parade in early September, the molten iron output may rebound, which may positively affect the demand for coke. It is expected that coke prices in the Chinese domestic market will fluctuate within a limited range in the coming week, though they will likely rebound later.
During the given week, average coking coal prices in the Chinese domestic market have edged down slightly even though there were accidents at some coal mines, which are likely to keep supply reduced in September as well.
On August 29, offer prices of coke CSR65 in the export market have been at $230-235/mt FOB, moving up by $5/mt compared to August 22.
As of August 29, coking coal futures at Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) are standing at RMB 1,151/mt ($162/mt), decreasing by RMB 11/mt ($1.5/mt) or 0.95 percent since August 22, while down 0.13 percent compared to the previous trading day, August 28. Meanwhile, coke futures prices at Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) are standing at RMB 1,643/mt ($231/mt), declining by RMB 35.5/mt ($5/mt) or 2.1 percent since August 22, while down 0.87 percent compared to the previous trading day, August 28.
$1 = RMB 7.103