Australian Coking Coal Market Edges Down Amid Lackluster Chinese Demand

Seaborne metallurgical coal prices have remained mostly stable so far this week amid sustained lackluster demand among buyers in China.

In China, few end-users are interested in seaborne coking coal unless prices dip below USD 200/MT CFR China.

However, in the second-tier hard coking coal segment, the Chinese buyers are less pessimistic about the prices due to the relatively tighter supply of materials. Nevertheless, market prices in this segment will fall once more cargoes emerge.

Meanwhile, Chinese met coke producers have made a proposal to the steel mills to increase their selling prices for the raw material.

PRICE ASSESSMENTS

The latest price for the Premium HCC grade is assessed at around USD 226/MT FOB Australia, lower by about USD 5.05/MT than the average price of around USD 231.05/MT in the week gone by (3-7 Dec'18).

Latest import offers for the 64 Mid Vol HCC grade are assessed at around USD 185.95/MT FOB Australia, lower by about USD 1.15/MT than the average price of around USD 187.10/MT in the last week.

For Indian buyers, the above offers amount to USD 238.80/MT and USD 198.75/MT respectively on CNF India basis.