Coke Prices Stand Flat

SHANGHAI, Mar 14 (SMM) - On March 13, the traded price of quasi-first grade metallurgical coke (coke dry quenching) in Heze city, Shanxi province, was 2,960 yuan/mt (ex-factory), flat from the previous trading day.

Recently, some coal mines in Inner Mongolia, whose production has been limited due to coal mine accidents, have resumed production one after another, and the tight supply of coking coal has eased. At the same time, the demand from downstream enterprises was released slowly, and traders generally held a wait-and-see sentiment.  The quotations of some coal types with higher gains in the previous period fell, but the quotes offered by coal mines stabilised as a whole.

The cost of coke companies dropped, but the profits grew slightly. The companies maintained stable operating rates, and in-plant coke stocks were low. On the demand side, the pig iron output increased steadily, and the coke demand still existed. However, the coke inventory held by steel mills was at a medium or high level, so the mills were less willing to raise their purchase prices.