[SMM Daily Coking Coal and Coke Market Review]
Coking coal market:
The low-sulphur coking coal price in Linfen was quoted at 1,500 yuan/mt, while that in Tangshan stood at 1,300 yuan/mt.
Raw material fundamentals: Some mines suspended production due to safety inspections, while others maintained normal operations. Downstream buyers maintained strong purchasing enthusiasm for coking coal, with improved sales at coal enterprises and no significant inventory pressure. With the fifth round of coke price increases being implemented, coking coal prices may hold up well in the short term.
Coke market:
The nationwide average price of first-grade metallurgical coke (dry quenching) was 1,715 yuan/mt, while that of quasi-first-grade (dry quenching) was 1,575 yuan/mt. The nationwide average price of first-grade metallurgical coke (wet quenching) was 1,370 yuan/mt, and quasi-first-grade (wet quenching) was 1,280 yuan/mt.
Mainstream steel mills in Shandong and Hebei accepted the fifth round of coke price increases of 50-55 yuan/mt. In terms of supply, coke producers operated with low profit margins and moderate production enthusiasm. Meanwhile, downstream buyers actively purchased coke, keeping inventory levels at coke plants relatively low. Demand side: Affected by rainfall, transportation in some regions was constrained, leading to poor arrival rates at steel mills, which maintained strong purchasing interest for coke. Overall, the coke market fundamentals leaned toward a tight balance, with strong cost support, suggesting prices may remain generally stable with slight rises in the short term.[SMM Steel]
