During the week ending August 15, local coke prices in China have seen further rises compared to August 8, in the sixth round of such increases, while the outlook has remained bullish.
First-grade coke prices in Tangshan are at RMB 1,615/mt ($226.5/mt) ex-warehouse, moving up by RMB 75/mt compared to August 8, according to SteelOrbis’ data.
Prices of coke in local markets in China
| Product Name | Specification | Place of Origin | Price（RMB/mt） | Price ($/mt) | Weekly Change（RMB/mt） | Weekly Change（$/mt） |
| Coke | First grade （A<13.0,S<0.75,CSR>65.0） | Hancheng, Shaanxi | 1,555 | 217.9 | 55.0 | 7.7 |
| Zibo, Shandong | 1,690 | 236.8 | 55.0 | 7.7 | ||
| Pingdingshan, Henan | 1,540 | 215.8 | 55.0 | 7.7 | ||
| Tangshan | 1,615 | 226.3 | 75.0 | 10.5 | ||
| Huaibei, Anhui | 1,590 | 222.8 | 55.0 | 7.7 | ||
| Average | 1,598 | 223.9 | 59.0 | 8.3 |
including 13 percent VAT
Prices of coking coal in local markets in China
| Product Name | Specification | Place of Origin | Price（RMB/mt） | Price ($/mt) | Weekly Change（RMB/mt） | Weekly Change（$/mt） |
| Coking Coal | A9,S0.4,V19,G88 | Linfen low-sulfur primary coking coal | 1,480 | 207.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| A10.5,S3,V25,G80 | Lveliang high-sulfur primary coking coal | 1,114 | 156.1 | 61.0 | 8.6 | |
| A10,S1.8,V21,G90 | Jinzhong medium-sulfur primary coal | 1,105 | 154.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| A12,S1.2,V37.G90 | Linfen low-sulfur 1/3 coking coal | 1,150 | 161.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Average | 1,212.25 | 169.9 | 15.3 | 2.2 |
Coke prices in the Chinese domestic market have seen further rises amid the inventory levels. Molten iron output has increased slightly, positively affecting the demand for coke. Moreover, steelmakers’ inventory of coke has been at low levels, resulting in good demand for coke and bolstering prices. The tight supply of coke will provide support for prices in the coming week.
During the given week, average coking coal prices in the Chinese domestic market have indicated increases amid the slow recovery of coal output. However, production cuts will be implemented from mid-August amid the approach of the big military parade on September 3, which will slacken demand for coking coal.
On August 15, offer prices of coke CSR65 in the export market stand at $238/mt FOB, moving up by $18/mt compared to August 8.
As of August 15, coking coal futures at Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) are standing at RMB 1,230/mt ($172.5/mt), increasing by RMB 3/mt ($0.4/mt) or 0.24 percent since August 8, while up 0.33 percent compared to the previous trading day, August 14. Meanwhile, coke futures prices at Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) are standing at RMB 1,729.5/mt ($243/mt), rising by RMB 76/mt ($10.7/mt) or 4.6 percent since August 8, while up 0.49 percent compared to the previous trading day, August 14.
$1 = RMB 7.1371