During the week ending August 22, local coke prices in China have continued their uptrend compared to August 15 with buyers accepting the seventh round of price hikes. In the near future, the market is expected to stabilize.
First-grade coke prices in Tangshan are at RMB 1,670/mt ($234.2/mt) ex-warehouse, moving up by RMB 55/mt compared to August 15, according to SteelOrbis’ data.
Prices of coke in local markets in China
| Product Name | Specification | Place of Origin | Price（RMB/mt） | Price ($/mt) | Weekly Change（RMB/mt） | Weekly Change（$/mt） |
| Coke | First grade （A<13.0,S<0.75,CSR>65.0） | Hancheng, Shaanxi | 1,610 | 225.7 | 55.0 | 7.9 |
| Zibo, Shandong | 1,745 | 244.7 | 55.0 | 7.9 | ||
| Pingdingshan, Henan | 1,595 | 223.6 | 55.0 | 7.9 | ||
| Tangshan | 1,670 | 234.2 | 55.0 | 7.9 | ||
| Huaibei, Anhui | 1,645 | 230.7 | 55.0 | 7.9 | ||
| Average | 1,653 | 231.8 | 55.0 | 7.9 |
including 13 percent VAT
Prices of coking coal in local markets in China
| Product Name | Specification | Place of Origin | Price（RMB/mt） | Price ($/mt) | Weekly Change（RMB/mt） | Weekly Change（$/mt） |
| Coking Coal | A9,S0.4,V19,G88 | Linfen low-sulfur primary coking coal | 1,480 | 207.5 | 0.0 | 0.1 |
| A10.5,S3,V25,G80 | Lveliang high-sulfur primary coking coal | 1,128 | 158.2 | 14.0 | 2.1 | |
| A10,S1.8,V21,G90 | Jinzhong medium-sulfur primary coal | 1,076 | 150.9 | -29.0 | -4.0 | |
| A12,S1.2,V37.G90 | Linfen low-sulfur 1/3 coking coal | 1,150 | 161.2 | 0.0 | 0.1 | |
| Average | 1,208.5 | 169.4 | -3.8 | -0.4 |
Coke prices in the Chinese domestic market have moved up further amid the improved demand from downstream users. Meanwhile, coking plants’ inventories are at relatively low levels, bolstering coke prices. The supply of coke has been tight, which has exerted a positive impact on prices. However, it is thought that coke prices in the Chinese domestic market will move sideways in the coming week after seven rounds of increases.
During the given week, average coking coal prices in the Chinese domestic market have fluctuated within a limited range amid the increasing supply in the spot market. Coking plants’ profitability has improved, making them more eager to produce, which will bolster the demand for coking coal in the near future.
On August 22, offer prices of coke CSR65 in the export market have been assessed at $225-230/mt FOB.
As of August 22, coking coal futures at Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) are standing at RMB 1,162/mt ($163/mt), decreasing by RMB 68/mt ($9.5/mt) or 5.5 percent since August 15, while down 0.17 percent compared to the previous trading day, August 21. Meanwhile, coke futures prices at Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) are standing at RMB 1,678.5/mt ($235/mt), declining by RMB 51/mt ($7.2/mt) or 2.9 percent since August 15, while down 0.03 percent compared to the previous trading day, August 21.
$1 = RMB 7.1321