During the week ending November 14, local coke prices in China have indicated rises compared to November 7, but further increases are questionable due to weak steel demand.
First-grade coke prices in Tangshan are at RMB 1,820/mt ($257/mt) ex-warehouse, moving up by RMB 55/mt ($7.8/mt) compared to November 7, according to SteelOrbis’ data.
Prices of coke in local markets in China
| Product Name | Specification | Place of Origin | Price (RMB/mt） | Price ($/mt) | Weekly Change (RMB/mt） | Weekly Change（$/mt） |
| Coke | First grade （A<13.0,S<0.75,CSR>65.0） | Hancheng, Shaanxi | 1,720 | 242.8 | +55.0 | +7.8 |
| Zibo, Shandong | 1,855 | 261.9 | +55.0 | +7.8 | ||
| Pingdingshan, Henan | 1,705 | 240.7 | +55.0 | +7.8 | ||
| Tangshan | 1,820 | 257.0 | +55.0 | +7.8 | ||
| Huaibei, Anhui | 1,755 | 247.8 | +55.0 | +7.8 | ||
| Average | 1,771 | 250.0 | +55.0 | +7.8 |
All prices include 13 percent VAT.
Prices of coking coal in local markets in China
| Product Name | Specification | Place of Origin | Price（RMB/mt） | Price ($/mt) | Weekly Change（RMB/mt） | Weekly Change（$/mt） |
| Coking Coal | A9,S0.4,V19,G88 | Linfen low-sulfur primary coking coal | 1,710 | 241.4 | +40.0 | +5.7 |
| A10.5,S3,V25,G80 | Lveliang high-sulfur primary coking coal | 1,382 | 195.1 | +16.0 | +2.3 | |
| A10,S1.8,V21,G90 | Jinzhong medium-sulfur primary coal | 1,390 | 196.2 | +29.0 | +4.1 | |
| A12,S1.2,V37.G90 | Linfen low-sulfur 1/3 coking coal | 1,230 | 173.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Average | 1,428 | 201.6 | +21.3 | +3.0 |
Coke prices in the Chinese domestic market have indicated their fourth round of hikes amid steady demand. Inventories of coke have been at relatively low levels, bolstering prices firmly. Some steelmakers have replenished stocks, providing support for coke prices. However, demand for steel has been slack, exerting a negative impact on the demand for coke. It is thought that coke prices in the Chinese domestic market may move sideways in the coming week.
During the given week, average coking coal prices in the Chinese domestic market have edged up too. Since the winter heating season is about to start, the demand for coal will be strong, which will bolster coking coal prices. It is expected that coking coal prices in the Chinese domestic market will fluctuate within a limited range in the coming week.
On November 14, offer prices of coke CSR65 in the export market are at $235-240/mt FOB, just slightly up from $235/mt FOB November 7.
As of November 14, coking coal futures at Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) are standing at RMB 1,192/mt ($168/mt), increasing by RMB 78/mt ($11/mt) or 6.1 percent since November 7, while down 1.77 percent compared to the previous trading day, November 13. Meanwhile, coke futures prices at Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) are standing at RMB 1,669.5/mt ($235/mt), decreasing by RMB 87/mt ($12.3/mt) or 4.95 percent since November 7, while down 0.98 percent compared to the previous trading day, November 13.
$1 = RMB 7.0825