Local coke prices in China have moved sideways compared to April 24, but the market mood has remained rather positive with a third round of price increases being discussed and the stronger steel market giving some additional support.
First-grade coke prices in Tangshan are at RMB 1,710/mt ($249.6/mt) ex-warehouse, moving sideways compared to April 24, according to SteelOrbis’ data.
Prices of coke in local markets in China
| Product Name | Specification | Place of Origin | Price（RMB/mt） | Price ($/mt) | 2 weeks Change（RMB/mt） | 2 weeks Change（$/mt） |
| Coke | First grade （A<13.0,S<0.75,CSR>65.0） | Hancheng, Shaanxi | 1,610 | 235.0 | 0.0 | 0.6 |
| Zibo, Shandong | 1,745 | 254.7 | 0.0 | 0.6 | ||
| Pingdingshan, Henan | 1,595 | 232.8 | 0.0 | 0.6 | ||
| Tangshan | 1,710 | 249.6 | 0.0 | 0.6 | ||
| Huaibei, Anhui | 1,645 | 240.1 | 0.0 | 0.6 | ||
| Average | 1,661 | 242.5 | 0.0 | 0.6 |
including 13 percent VAT
Prices of coking coal in local markets in China
| Product Name | Specification | Place of Origin | Price（RMB/mt） | Price ($/mt) | 2 weeks Change（RMB/mt） | 2 weeks Change（$/mt） |
| Coking Coal | A9,S0.4,V19,G88 | Linfen low-sulfur primary coking coal | 1,590 | 232.1 | 60.0 | 9.3 |
| A10.5,S3,V25,G80 | Lveliang high-sulfur primary coking coal | 1,338 | 195.3 | 25.0 | 4.1 | |
| A10,S1.8,V21,G90 | Jinzhong medium-sulfur primary coal | 1,274 | 186.0 | -20.0 | -2.5 | |
| A12,S1.2,V37.G90 | Linfen low-sulfur 1/3 coking coal | 1,200 | 175.2 | 0.0 | 0.4 | |
| Average | 1,350.5 | 197.2 | 16.3 | 2.9 |
During the past two weeks, coke prices in the Chinese domestic market have moved sideways amid the steady supply from coking plants. Inventories of coke have been at relatively low levels, bolstering prices firmly. A third round of price hikes is expected to be implemented, though it is still at the bargaining stage. It is expected that coke prices in the Chinese domestic market will edge up in the coming week.
During this period, coking coal prices have edged up amid relatively low inventories. Molten iron output has been at relatively high levels, providing solid support for demand for coking coal. Meanwhile, following the Labor Day holiday (May 1-5), finished steel prices have moved up significantly, expanding steelmakers’ profitability and also exerting a positive impact on the coking coal market. It is expected that coking coal prices in the Chinese domestic market will see further rises in the coming week.
On May 8, offer prices of coke CSR65 in the export market are standing at $254/mt FOB, increasing by $2-4/mt compared to April 24.
As of May 8, coking coal futures at Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) are standing at RMB 1,286/mt ($188/mt), increasing by RMB 27.5/mt ($4.0/mt) or 2.2 percent since April 24, while decreasing by 0.69 percent compared to the previous trading day, May 7. Meanwhile, coke futures prices at Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) are standing at RMB 1,828/mt ($267/mt), decreasing by RMB 5/mt ($0.7/mt) or 0.27 percent since April 24, while down 1.24 percent compared to the previous trading day, May 7.
$1 = RMB 6.8502
