Market slumps on low demand, mill output cuts

摘要

Asia-Pacific metallurgical coal prices have continued to fall in the FOB market as ample supply of Premium Mid Vol type coals and a gloomy demand outlook continued to exert pressure on prices. S&P Global Platts assessed the Premium Low-Vol HCC down $2.00/mt to $132/mt FOB Australia on April 17, while delivered prices to China were up 75 cents/mt to $142.00/ mt CFR. Premium LV HCC averaged $158.94/ mt FOB Australia in March, compared with $212.13/mt a year earlier. In China, the market saw active trading mid-April as the arbitrage opportunity remained open between domestic and seaborne Premium Low Vol, with seaborne coking coal a much cheaper choice for endusers in China. "Seaborne PLV cargoes are about $30/mt cheaper," an end-user said.