During the week ending April 18, local coke prices in China have moved up compared to the previous week.
First-grade coke prices in Tangshan are at RMB 1,430/mt ($199/mt) ex-warehouse, moving up by RMB 55/mt ($7.6/mt) compared to April 11, according to SteelOrbis’ data.
Prices of coke in local markets in China
| Product Name | Specification | Place of Origin | Price (RMB/mt) | Price ($/mt) | Weekly Change (RMB/mt) | Weekly Change ($/mt) |
| Coke | First grade (A<13.0,S<0.75,CSR>65.0) | Hancheng, Shaanxi | 1,390 | 192.9 | +55.0 | +7.7 |
| Zibo, Shandong | 1,580 | 219.2 | +55.0 | +7.7 | ||
| Pingdingshan, Henan | 1,430 | 198.4 | +55.0 | +7.7 | ||
| Tangshan | 1,430 | 198.4 | +55.0 | +7.7 | ||
| Huaibei, Anhui | 1,480 | 205.4 | +55.0 | +7.7 | ||
| Average | 1,462 | 202.9 | +55.0 | +7.7 |
Prices include 13 percent VAT.
Prices of coking coal in local markets in China
| Product Name | Specification | Place of Origin | Price (RMB/mt) | Price ($/mt) | Weekly Change (RMB/mt) | Weekly Change ($/mt) |
| Coking Coal | A9,S0.4,V19,G88 | Linfen low-sulfur primary coking coal | 1,330 | 184.5 | 0.0 | +0.1 |
| A10.5,S3,V25,G80 | Lveliang high-sulfur primary coking coal | 1,033 | 143.3 | +20.0 | +2.8 | |
| A10,S1.8,V21,G90 | Jinzhong medium-sulfur primary coal | 1,038 | 144.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| A12,S1.2,V37.G90 | Linfen low-sulfur 1/3 coking coal | 1,030 | 142.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Average | 1,107.75 | 153.7 | +5.0 | +0.7 |
Prices include 13 percent VAT.
During the given week, average coking coal prices in the Chinese domestic market have indicated slight increases. However, steelmakers’ profitability has shrunk, weakening the support for sentiments in the coking coal market. It is thought that coking coal prices in the Chinese domestic market will likely fluctuate within a limited range in the coming week.
Coke prices have edged up slightly in the past week, in the first increase following 11 price declines in a row. Inventory of coke has decreased, exerting a positive impact on prices. The relatively high production capacity utilization rates of steelmakers will ensure demand for coke and bolster prices. It is thought that coke prices in the Chinese domestic market will see further rises due to the expectations of stock replenishment ahead of the Labor Day holiday (May 1-5).
On April 18, offer prices of coke CSR65 in the export market stand at $224/mt FOB, remaining stable compared to last week.
As of April 18, coking coal futures at Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) are standing at RMB 952.5/mt ($132/mt), decreasing by RMB 44/mt ($6.1/mt) or 4.4 percent since April 11, while down 0.68 percent compared to the previous trading day, April 17. Meanwhile, coke futures prices at Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) are standing at RMB 1,558/mt ($216/mt), increasing by RMB 36/mt ($5/mt) or 2.4 percent since April 11, while down 0.35 percent compared to the previous trading day, April 17.
$1 = RMB 7.2069