During the week ending April 24, local coke prices in China have moved up compared to April 17, which has been awaited by the market, and this has also pushed up export prices.
First-grade coke prices in Tangshan are at RMB 1,710/mt ($249/mt) ex-warehouse, moving up by RMB 55/mt compared to April 17, according to SteelOrbis’ data.
Prices of coke in local markets in China
| Product Name | Specification | Place of Origin | Price（RMB/mt） | Price ($/mt) | Weekly Change（RMB/mt） | Weekly Change（$/mt） |
| Coke | First grade （A<13.0,S<0.75,CSR>65.0） | Hancheng, Shaanxi | 1,610 | 234.5 | +55.0 | +7.8 |
| Zibo, Shandong | 1,745 | 254.1 | +55.0 | +7.8 | ||
| Pingdingshan, Henan | 1,595 | 232.3 | +55.0 | +7.8 | ||
| Tangshan | 1,710 | 249.0 | +55.0 | +7.8 | ||
| Huaibei, Anhui | 1,645 | 239.6 | +55.0 | +7.8 | ||
| Average | 1,661 | 241.9 | +55.0 | +7.8 |
All prices include 13 percent VAT.
Prices of coking coal in local markets in China
| Product Name | Specification | Place of Origin | Price（RMB/mt） | Price ($/mt) | Weekly Change（RMB/mt） | Weekly Change（$/mt） |
| Coking Coal | A9,S0.4,V19,G88 | Linfen low-sulfur primary coking coal | 1,530 | 222.8 | 0.0 | -0.2 |
| A10.5,S3,V25,G80 | Lveliang high-sulfur primary coking coal | 1,313 | 191.2 | +22.0 | +3.1 | |
| A10,S1.8,V21,G90 | Jinzhong medium-sulfur primary coal | 1,294 | 188.4 | +4.0 | +0.4 | |
| A12,S1.2,V37.G90 | Linfen low-sulfur 1/3 coking coal | 1,200 | 174.7 | -40.0 | -6.0 | |
| Average | 1,334.25 | 194.3 | -3.5 | -0.7 |
During the given week, second round of price hike in the Chinese domestic coke market have been implemented. Most coking plants kept the normal production activities, while inventories have been at relatively low levels, bolstering the prices to a certain degree. Demand for steel has improved, exerting a positive impact on the demand for coke. Mainstream coking plants have been preparing the third round of price rise on April 24, which might be implemented next week amid the expectation for the inventory restocking ahead of the Labor Day holiday (May 1-5).
During the given week, local coking coal prices have fluctuated within a limited range, even though production has been decreasing due to maintenances on part of miners.
There have been rumors about possible disruptions in Mongolian coking coal supply to China, which may bolster local demand or interest to alternative coal sources. For now, the tradable level for import premium hard coking coal in China is stable from last week at $217/mt CFR.
On April 24, offer prices of coke CSR65 in the export market have been at $250-252/mt FOB, increasing from $245-250/mt FOB on April 17.
As of April 24, coking coal futures at Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) are standing at RMB 1,258.5/mt ($183/mt), increasing by RMB 32.5/mt ($4.7/mt) or 2.7 percent since April 17, while decreasing by 1.06 percent compared to the previous trading day, April 23. Meanwhile, coke futures prices at Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) are standing at RMB 1,833/mt ($267/mt), increasing by RMB 8/mt ($1.2/mt) or 0.4 percent since April 17, while decreasing by 1.35 percent compared to the previous trading day, April 23. (coke’s main contract shift into J2609 from J2605)
$1 = RMB 6.8674
