During the week ending December 5, local coke prices in China have moved on a decreasing trend due to the strong pressure on mills’ profitability, steady supply and slower demand.
First-grade coke prices in Tangshan are at RMB 1,765/mt ($249.5/mt) ex-warehouse, decreasing by RMB 55/mt ($7.6/mt) compared to November 28, according to SteelOrbis’ data.
Prices of coke in local markets in China
| Product Name | Specification | Place of Origin | Price（RMB/mt） | Price ($/mt) | Weekly Change（RMB/mt） | Weekly Change（$/mt） |
| Coke | First grade (A<13.0,S<0.75,CSR>65.0) | Hancheng, Shaanxi | 1,665 | 235.3 | -55.0 | -7.6 |
| Zibo, Shandong | 1,800 | 254.4 | -55.0 | -7.6 | ||
| Pingdingshan, Henan | 1,650 | 233.2 | -55.0 | -7.6 | ||
| Tangshan | 1,765 | 249.5 | -55.0 | -7.6 | ||
| Huaibei, Anhui | 1,700 | 240.3 | -55.0 | -7.6 | ||
| Average | 1,716 | 242.5 | -55.0 | -7.6 |
including 13 percent VAT
Prices of coking coal in local markets in China
| Product Name | Specification | Place of Origin | Price（RMB/mt） | Price ($/mt) | Weekly Change（RMB/mt） | Weekly Change（$/mt） |
| Coking Coal | A9,S0.4,V19,G88 | Linfen low-sulfur primary coking coal | 1,500 | 212.0 | -80.0 | -11.2 |
| A10.5,S3,V25,G80 | Lveliang high-sulfur primary coking coal | 1,258 | 177.8 | 24.0 | 3.5 | |
| A10,S1.8,V21,G90 | Jinzhong medium-sulfur primary coal | 1,272 | 179.8 | -118.0 | -16.6 | |
| A12,S1.2,V37.G90 | Linfen low-sulfur 1/3 coking coal | 1,190 | 168.2 | -40.0 | -5.6 | |
| Average | 1,305 | 184.5 | -53.5 | -7.5 |
Coke prices in the Chinese domestic market have seen decreases amid steady production capacity utilization rates of coking plants. The first round of decreases in coke prices was implemented at the beginning of the given week. Inventories of coke have been at relatively low levels, which may bolster prices to a certain degree. Coking coal prices have moved down, which may weaken the support for coke prices from the cost side. Coke prices in the Chinese domestic market are expected to remain stable in the coming week, while local coking coal prices may soften a bit more.
As of December 5, coking coal futures at Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) are standing at RMB 1,140/mt ($161/mt), increasing by RMB 73/mt ($10.3/mt) or 6.8 percent since November 28, while down 2.31 percent compared to the previous trading day, December 4. Meanwhile, coke futures prices at Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) are standing at RMB 1,585/mt ($224/mt), increasing by RMB 10.5/mt ($1.5/mt) or 0.7 percent since November 28, while down 3.15 percent compared to the previous trading day, December 4.
$1 = RMB 7.0749