During the week ending December 13, local coke prices in China have moved down, reflecting the weak sentiments in the market. While the tradable price level for ex-China coke has been relatively stable, a large volume of Indonesian coke has been sold to India at lower prices.
First-grade coke prices in Tangshan are at RMB 1,760/mt ($245/mt) ex-warehouse, moving down by RMB 55/mt ($7.7/mt) compared to December 6, according to SteelOrbis’ data.
Prices of coke in local markets in China
Product Name |
Specification |
Place of Origin |
Price（RMB/mt） |
Price ($/mt) |
Weekly Change（RMB/mt） |
Weekly Change（$/mt） |
Coke |
First grade （A<13.0,S<0.75,CSR>65.0） |
Hancheng, Shaanxi |
1,720 |
239.3 |
-55.0 |
-7.8 |
Zibo, Shandong |
1,910 |
265.7 |
-55.0 |
-7.8 |
||
Pingdingshan, Henan |
1,760 |
244.9 |
-55.0 |
-7.8 |
||
Tangshan |
1,760 |
244.9 |
-55.0 |
-7.8 |
||
Huaibei, Anhui |
1,810 |
251.8 |
-55.0 |
-7.8 |
||
Average |
1,792 |
249.3 |
-55.0 |
-7.8 |
including 13 percent VAT.
During the given period, coke prices in the Chinese domestic market have moved down as demand from steelmakers has slackened. In the traditional offseason, the capacity utilization rates of steelmakers’ blast furnaces have been at relatively low levels, weakening the demand for coke. Steelmakers’ inventories of coke in some regions have been at high levels, exerting a negative impact on prices. However, steelmakers’ stock replenishment for the winter season is gradually starting, which will bolster coke prices firmly. It is thought that coke prices in the Chinese domestic market will likely be stable or edge up in the coming week.
On December 13, offer prices of coke CSR65 in the export market have been at $265/mt FOB, or just slightly below this level from some sellers.
At the same time, at least 300,000 mt of ex-Indonesia coke are heard to have been traded to India at $255/mt FOB for shipment in January-March. Some steelmakers have been eager to buy before the announcement of any finalized quota for import coke.
As of December 13, coking coal futures at Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) are standing at RMB 1,159/mt ($161/mt), decreasing by RMB 12/mt ($1.7/mt) or 1.0 percent since December 6, while down 2.15 percent compared to the previous trading day, December 12. Meanwhile, coke futures prices at Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) are standing at RMB 1,835/mt ($255/mt), increasing by RMB 23.5/mt ($3.3/mt) since December 6, while down 3.12 percent compared to the previous trading day, December 12.
$1 = RMB 7.1876