During the week ending December 27, local coke prices in China have moved down, reflecting weak market conditions. While prices for import coking coal are also down to below $200/mt CFR.
First-grade coke prices in Tangshan are at RMB 1,705/mt ($237/mt) ex-warehouse, moving down by RMB 55/mt ($7.6/mt) compared to December 20, according to SteelOrbis’ data.
Prices of coke in local markets in China
Product Name |
Specification |
Place of Origin |
Price (RMB/mt) |
Price ($/mt) |
Weekly Change (RMB/mt) |
Weekly Change ($/mt) |
Coke |
First grade (A<13.0,S<0.75,CSR>65.0) |
Hancheng, Shaanxi |
1,665 |
231.6 |
-55.0 |
-7.6 |
Zibo, Shandong |
1,855 |
258.0 |
-55.0 |
-7.6 |
||
Pingdingshan, Henan |
1,705 |
237.2 |
-55.0 |
-7.6 |
||
Tangshan |
1,705 |
237.2 |
-55.0 |
-7.6 |
||
Huaibei, Anhui |
1,755 |
244.1 |
-55.0 |
-7.6 |
||
Average |
1,737 |
241.6 |
-55.0 |
-7.6 |
All prices include 13 percent VAT.
During the given period, coke prices in the Chinese domestic market have moved down amid decreasing coking coal prices and prevailing cautious sentiments among market players. Recently, molten iron output declined, which weakened the demand for coke. More steelmakers implemented maintenances, while coke inventories of some of them have been at relatively high levels, exerting a negative impact on coke prices. It is thought that coke prices in the Chinese domestic market will see further declines in the coming week.
On December 27, offer prices of coke CSR65 in the export market have been at $260/mt FOB, versus $260-265/mt FOB to December 20.
In the coking coal segment, offer for low-volatile premium hard coking coal from Australia have dropped to $190/mt FOB, while mid-volatile material could be higher as it is in demand in India. However, most Chinese sources do not see the tradable level above $185-190/mt CFR.
As of December 27, coking coal futures at Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) are standing at RMB 1,140/mt ($159/mt), decreasing by RMB 20.5/mt ($2.85/mt) or 1.8 percent since December 20, while down 1.0 percent compared to the previous trading day, December 26. Meanwhile, coke futures prices at Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) are standing at RMB 1,780/mt ($248/mt), increasing by RMB 13.5/mt ($1.9/mt) since December 20, while down 2.01 percent compared to the previous trading day, December 26.
$1 = RMB 7.1893
