For the Quarter Ending March 2026
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Petroleum Coke Prices inÌýNorth America
- In the USA, the Petroleum Coke Price Index rose by 8.2% quarter-over-quarter, amid supply disruptions.
- The average Petroleum Coke price for the quarter was approximately USD 66.33/MT FOB USGC basis.
- Petroleum Coke Spot Price firmed as export nominations rose and the Price Index tightened promptly.
- Petroleum Coke Price Forecast turns firmer as Production Cost Trend rises due to handling costs.
- Petroleum Coke Demand Outlook shows steady cement and aluminium offtake, supporting a firmer Price Index.
- Inventory draws at Houston terminals and strong export nominations constrained prompt supply, lifting Price Index.
- River outages, winter icing and surcharges exacerbated delivery constraints, pressuring the Petroleum Coke Spot Price.
- Maintenance, sanctions and delayed start-ups reshaped feedstock availability, influencing Production Cost Trend and export economics.
Why did the price of Petroleum Coke change in March 2026 in North America?
- Refinery outages and coker shutdowns reduced Gulf Coast output, directly tightening prompt petroleum coke supply.
- Sanctions and antidumping probes discouraged imports, limiting replacement cargoes and elevating regional Price Index pressures.
- Stronger Asian seaborne cement demand and inland logistics bottlenecks amplified prompt tightness, firming regional prices.
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Petroleum Coke Prices inÌýAPAC
- In South Korea, the Petroleum Coke Price Index rose by 9.27% quarter-over-quarter, tightening seaborne supply.
- The average Petroleum Coke price for the quarter was approximately USD 644.33/MT based on assessments.
- Petroleum Coke Spot Price firmed as low-sulphur cargo scarcity and higher freight lifted landed offers.
- Petroleum Coke Price Forecast projects near-term firmness driven by origin constraints and elevated crude-linked costs.
- Petroleum Coke Production Cost Trend rose with Brent above hundred dollars and higher insurance premiums.
- Petroleum Coke Demand Outlook supported by battery-anode expansions while cement and aluminium offtake remained steady.
- Petroleum Coke Price Index volatility reflected thinning inventories, exporter term allocations and the Daesan merger.
- Domestic refinery runs stayed stable, but export allocations tightened, sustaining seller confidence and spot pricing.
Why did the price of Petroleum Coke change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Seaborne supply tightened from Strait of Hormuz disruptions and Daesan merger reducing delayed-coker feed availability.
- Higher Brent crude and rising freight plus insurance premiums elevated landed costs and pressured margins.
- Winter construction lull and emission levies reduced cement-sector demand, partially offsetting robust battery-grade uptake growth.
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Petroleum Coke Prices inÌýEurope
- In Germany, the Petroleum Coke Price Index rose by 1.90% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting firm import premiums.
- The average Petroleum Coke price for the quarter was approximately USD 428.00/MT, reflecting stable import and domestic demand balance.
- Stable import arrivals kept the Petroleum Coke Spot Price supported despite muted domestic refinery contribution.
- Logistics delays and elevated ocean freight underpinned the Petroleum Coke Price Forecast for near-term firmness.
- Lower crude-related feedstock costs moderated the Petroleum Coke Production Cost Trend, limiting upward pressure on sellers.
- Steady clinker production sustained the Petroleum Coke Demand Outlook, preventing downward deviation from baseline levels.
- Inventory levels at Hamburg remained comfortable, keeping the Petroleum Coke Price Index range-bound through March.
- Sentiment-driven buying pushed offers higher, amplifying small supply hiccups and tightening prompt availability marginally in Hamburg market.
- Contractual allocations and steady refinery runs constrained abrupt volatility, supporting orderly market functioning during quarter.
Why did the price of Petroleum Coke change in March 2026 in Europe?
- Steady US Gulf and Colombian imports tightened prompt availability amid modest rescheduling of cargo arrivals.
- Balanced cement and electrode demand absorbed volumes while freight and sentiment lifted spot premiums slightly.
- Stable refinery output and comfortable Hamburg inventories prevented a larger price move despite firmer offers.
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Petroleum Coke Prices inÌýSouth America
- In Brazil, the Petroleum Coke Price Index rose by 5.42% quarter-over-quarter, constrained domestic refinery output.
- The average Petroleum Coke price for the quarter was USD 97.33/MT, based on CFR Santos assessments.
- Tight berth scheduling and vessel bunching lifted the Petroleum Coke Spot Price, tightening prompt tonnage.
- Ongoing REDUC coking outages reduced domestic supply, pushing the Petroleum Coke Price Index higher.
- Rising crude and freight increased refinery cash costs, affecting the Petroleum Coke Production Cost Trend.
- Seasonally muted cement and aluminium buying softened offtake, tempering the short-term Petroleum Coke Demand Outlook.
- Forecasters expect range-bound movement; the Petroleum Coke Price Forecast depends on supplies and freight conditions.
- Comfortable import arrivals and stocks limited downside, though export demand could tighten the Price Index.
Why did the price of Petroleum Coke change in March 2026 in South America?
- Prompt vessel bunching at Santos reduced availability, tightening supply and supporting price firmness during March.
- Ongoing refinery coking outages cut domestic output, elevating import reliance and exerting upward price pressure.
- Muted downstream buying from cement and aluminium limited absorption, causing supply shifts to influence prices.
For the Quarter Ending December 2025
North America
- In the USA, the Petroleum Coke Price Index rose by 3.95% quarter-over-quarter, driven by exports.
- The average Petroleum Coke price for the quarter was approximately USD 61.33/MT, reflecting regional dynamics.
- Petroleum Coke Spot Price firmed mid-quarter as export competition increased while domestic inventories stayed adequate.
- Petroleum Coke Price Forecast indicates modest near-term upside from export demand and Price Index stability.
- Petroleum Coke Production Cost Trend eased as gas prices fell, enabling calciners to trim offers.
- Petroleum Coke Demand Outlook balanced; Asian tendering offsets weaker domestic fuel-burn, keeping Price Index range-bound.
- Petroleum Coke Price Index showed holiday volatility as thin trading and logistics constraints reduced liquidity.
- Major US Gulf Coast calciners ran high utilization, supporting exports and limiting domestic spot surplus.
Why did the price of Petroleum Coke change in December 2025 in North America?
- Export enquiries from India and China offset weaker US burn in December, stabilizing FOB prices.
- Lower natural gas and residual fuel costs reduced calcination expenses, enabling sellers to trim offers.
- Holiday-thinned trading and end-year logistics constrained liquidity, prompting sporadic seller discounting and price weakness briefly.
APAC
- In South Korea, the Petroleum Coke Price Index rose by 9.54% quarter-over-quarter, driven by imports.
- The average Petroleum Coke price for the quarter was approximately USD 589.67/MT, reflecting CFR Busan.
- Supply disruptions and Ulsan outage tightened availability, boosting Petroleum Coke Spot Price and seller leverage.
- Port efficiency and freight moves will influence near-term Petroleum Coke Price Forecast for CFR Busan.
- Eased crude residues reduced input costs, affecting the Petroleum Coke Production Cost Trend across calciners.
- Robust battery anode demand and industrial runs underpin the Petroleum Coke Demand Outlook despite seasonality.
- Inventory drawdowns and selective exporter allocations supported the Petroleum Coke Price Index, firming CFR offers.
- Import reliance with 60 percent domestic output keeps market sensitive to seaborne flows and exporters.
Why did the price of Petroleum Coke change in December 2025 in APAC?
- U.S. sanctions tightened fuel-grade cargoes, reducing available seaborne volumes and firming CIF offers to buyers.
- Battery-material capacity expansion increased calcined coke demand, drawing prompt cargoes and tightening Busan prompt availability.
- Seasonal cement slowdown moderated restocking, while steady imports and port efficiency kept immediate pressure balanced.
Europe
- In Germany, the Petroleum Coke Price Index rose by 0.4% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting supply and industrial demand.
- The average Petroleum Coke price for the quarter was approximately USD 420.00/MT, per CFR Hamburg market reporting.
- Balanced imports and port operations kept the Petroleum Coke Spot Price contained despite Petroleum Coke Production Cost Trend increases.
- Domestic consumption resilience underpinned the Petroleum Coke Demand Outlook, supporting the Petroleum Coke Price Index despite softer construction activity.
- Short-term Petroleum Coke Price Forecast indicates range-bound movement as terminal inventories remain comfortable and freight tightens.
- Crude price dynamics influence the Petroleum Coke Production Cost Trend, though landed CFR components moderated by freight easing.
- Export flows from Gulf and Colombia helped stabilise the Petroleum Coke Price Index and spot availability at Hamburg.
- Rail disruptions and terminal congestion can tighten supply and lift the Petroleum Coke Price Index in localized episodes.
Why did the price of Petroleum Coke change in December 2025 in Europe?
- Improved seaborne arrivals and navigable Rhine water kept imports steady, moderating landed cost pressure for German buyers.
- Firm clinker burn and steady heavy industry demand supported offtake despite modest crude softening in December.
- Port operations stability and adequate terminal inventories limited supply shocks while freight remained slightly elevated.
South America
- In Brazil, the Petroleum Coke Price Index rose by 2.98% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting stronger US supply.
- The average Petroleum Coke price for the quarter was approximately USD 588.00/MT, reflecting import parity dynamics.
- Petroleum Coke Spot Price remained range-bound amid steady freight and ample US-origin import availability flows.
- Petroleum Coke Price Forecast models show modest oscillations, with occasional downward adjustments from excess inventories.
- Petroleum Coke Production Cost Trend stayed stable as refinery output and freight influenced landed costs.
- Petroleum Coke Demand Outlook remains neutral, supported by cement and metals but limited by inventories.
- Petroleum Coke Price Index responded to US export offers and freight stability, capping significant upside.
- Import terminal inventories at Santos provided five weeks cover, reducing prompt tightening and limiting rallies.
Why did the price of Petroleum Coke change in December 2025 in South America?
- Improved U.S. import arrivals and stable freight increased landed availability, easing prompt market tightness pressure.
- Domestic industrial demand remained steady but inventory builds reduced urgency, limiting seller pricing power significantly.
- Panama Canal transit delays raised freight premiums, but port operations remained smooth, muting cost pass-through.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
- In the USA, the Petroleum Coke Price Index fell by 12.8% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting weak exports.
- The average Petroleum Coke price for the quarter was USD 59.00/MT, anchored by Gulf netbacks.
- Petroleum Coke Spot Price remained volatile as Gulf Coast loadings and freight influenced short-term assessments.
- Petroleum Coke Price Forecast suggests recovery as constrained coke generation and firm aluminum demand persist.
- Petroleum Coke Production Cost Trend tightened as crude feedstock firmness raised calcination and handling costs.
- Petroleum Coke Demand Outlook remains steady for aluminum anodes, with cement and steel exports softer.
- Petroleum Coke Price Index reflected inventory builds, tariff uncertainty, and shifting refinery yields reducing output.
- Petroleum Coke Spot Price sensitivity to freight, hurricane risks and grade premia sustained price differentials.
Why did the price of Petroleum Coke change in September 2025 in North America?
- Export demand to India and Brazil tightened Gulf Coast availability, supporting upward pressure during quarter.
- Refinery yields lowered petcoke output as light crude runs reduced green coke generation, limiting supply.
- Inventory drawdowns at key terminals combined with freight dynamics and tariff uncertainty changed international competitiveness.
APAC
- In South Korea, the Petroleum Coke Price Index rose by 7.31% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting firmer demand.
- The average Petroleum Coke price for the quarter was approximately USD 577.67/MT, with modest fluctuations.
- Petroleum Coke Spot Price saw intramonth swings, pressured by ample imports yet supported by shortages.
- Petroleum Coke Price Forecast indicates modest upside risk into Q4 as inventories tighten slightly near-term.
- Petroleum Coke Production Cost Trend rose due to firmer crude and higher calcination energy costs.
- Petroleum Coke Demand Outlook remains stable, driven by aluminum anode demand and cement consumption domestically.
- Petroleum Coke Price Index fluctuations tracked Busan inventory draws, freight shifts and exporter pricing adjustments.
- China and UK supplier flows continued, but tariff and freight uncertainties could alter procurement economics.
Why did the price of Petroleum Coke change in September 2025 in APAC?
- A temporary restocking cycle in Korea drew inventories lower, tightening immediate busan availability and raising bids.
- Freight and logistics eased slightly but exporter price adjustments and selective premium grade shortages supported offers higher.
- Weaker downstream procurement weeks earlier left uneven demand; recent balanced inflows reversed that, sustaining the late-September rally.
Europe
- In Germany, the Petroleum Coke Price Index rose by 3.55% quarter-over-quarter, driven by tight imports and logistics.
- The average Petroleum Coke price for the quarter was approximately USD 418.33/MT, reflecting CFR Hamburg constraints and buying
- Petroleum Coke Spot Price remained range-bound as Hamburg congestion and freight volatility supported broader Price Index stability.
- Petroleum Coke Price Forecast models indicate modest upside risk from sustained feedstock pressure and constrained import availability.
- Petroleum Coke Production Cost Trend reflects upstream crude and calciner energy costs, keeping offers firm despite muted demand.
- Petroleum Coke Demand Outlook remains steady from aluminum anode and electrode users, while steel activity exerts downward pressure.
- Price Index movements were cushioned by adequate inventories, yet export demand and rail disruptions intermittently tightened prompt supplies.
Why did the price of Petroleum Coke change in September 2025 in Europe?
- Hamburg port congestion, rail disruptions and berth closures restricted throughput, tightening prompt supply, supporting CFR.
- Steady aluminum anode and electrode demand sustained uptake despite weaker steel sector, tempering downward pressure.
- Upstream feedstock and freight firmness, plus tariff uncertainty, elevated landed costs and discouraged speculative buying.
South America
- In Brazil, the Petroleum Coke Price Index fell by 8.78% quarter-over-quarter, driven by tighter imports.
- The average Petroleum Coke price for the quarter was approximately USD 90.00/MT, reflecting mixed flows, contract volumes.
- Petroleum Coke Spot Price saw volatility as CFR Santos supply balanced burn, supporting Price Index.
- Petroleum Coke Demand Outlook firm from aluminum and cement, underpinning imports and Price Index resilience.
- Petroleum Coke Production Cost Trend tracked crude and freight, elevating calcination costs, pressuring Price Index.
- Petroleum Coke Price Forecast indicates near-term stability, upside risk if kiln demand and imports tighten.
- Moderate bonded warehouse inventories absorbed shipments, while export allocations and port queues influenced CFR offers.
- Domestic calciner utilization below optimal; tariff headlines elevated risk premia, tightening Petroleum Coke Spot Price.
Why did the price of Petroleum Coke change in September 2025 in South America?
- Robust cement kiln runs increased burn rates, tightening prompt availability and supporting higher CFR offers.
- Steady US-origin shipments maintained baseline supply, yet tariff uncertainty and BRL swings preserved risk premia.
- Crude-linked calcination and freight costs eased slightly, but import dependence kept landed costs pressured buyers.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
- The price index of petroleum coke (FOB US Gulf) in North America averaged USD 1,610/tonne as of the end of Q2 2025, increasing about 3.2% compared to Q1. The increase was driven by significant demand from aluminum smelters and steelmakers.
- Why did the price of Petroleum Coke change in July 2025?
In July, Petroleum Coke prices slightly declined due to easing construction activity post-peak season and weaker-than-expected exports to India. The moderate retreat followed a Q2 peak in May.
- Demand from the aluminum sector remained firm, while petroleum coke use in steel manufacturing was stable. Exporters benefited from a tight supply across Asia.
- No major disruptions were observed in US port logistics, but rail congestion toward export terminals added to some delivery delays.
- Petroleum Coke Demand Outlook for Q3 remains neutral-to-weak amid sluggish buying appetite from Southeast Asia and a seasonal lull in U.S. construction.
- The Petroleum Coke Production Cost Trend remained steady, with stable feedstock (vacuum residue) prices, although elevated energy and labor costs put mild pressure on margins.
- Petroleum Coke Spot Prices might see slight correction in Q3 2025 due to oversupply from the Gulf Coast and dampening overseas orders.
- Petroleum Coke Price Forecast: Prices are likely to soften by 1.5–2.5% in early Q3 unless stronger Indian demand materializes.
Europe
- The Petroleum Coke Price Index in Europe (FOB Black Sea/Russia) dropped 2.1% in Q2 2025, settling around USD 1,450/tonne in late June. Weak intra-European demand and lower bulk shipments from Russia contributed to the fall.
- Why did the price of Petroleum Coke change in July 2025?
July witnessed continued weakness as Russian-origin material faced reduced takers in Turkey and Southern Europe amid environmental constraints and muted steel sector restocking.
- Turkey—the region’s largest importer—significantly cut down purchases in May–June due to surplus inventory and restricted cement sector activity.
- Freight rates from Russian ports remained favorable; however, uncertain Black Sea transit conditions and rising EU scrutiny on carbon-intensive inputs added hesitation among buyers.
- Petroleum Coke Demand Outlook in Q3 2025 stays bearish, especially from cement and refractory sectors as most mills operate below capacity.
- The Petroleum Coke Production Cost Trend in Russia was largely unchanged, though margin pressures emerged from tighter domestic logistics and currency volatility.
- Petroleum Coke Spot Price competitiveness deteriorated due to increased availability and weak tender activity from Mediterranean buyers.
- Petroleum Coke Price Forecast: European prices may drop further by 1–2% in Q3 unless Turkish buying revives or EU restocking accelerates.
Asia-PacificÌý
- The Petroleum Coke Price Index in APAC (CFR South Korea) declined by 3.8% quarter-on-quarter, reaching USD 1,380/tonne by late June 2025. The downtrend reflected subdued demand and ample Chinese-origin material in the region.
- Why did the price of Petroleum Coke change in July 2025?
July opened with oversupply conditions, particularly in South Korea and Taiwan, leading to aggressive spot-level price corrections. Lower-than-expected feedstock demand in Korean steel plants also impacted import interest.
- Weak downstream steel production and lower operating rates among carbon black manufacturers kept procurement tepid across Northeast Asia.
- No major port congestion reported, but rising ocean freight from China to South Korea (by 4.7% in June) reduced landed margin competitiveness.
- Petroleum Coke Demand Outlook for Q3 2025 appears muted, with Chinese exports continuing to dominate while buyers remain cautious amid uncertain industrial growth.
- The Petroleum Coke Production Cost Trend in Chinese refiners was flat, with stable feedstock costs, but pressure from rising inventories continues to limit profitability.
- Petroleum Coke Spot Price offers from Chinese producers were heard at USD 1,330–1,350/tonne CFR in early July—down USD 20–30/tonne from June average.
- Petroleum Coke Price Forecast for Q3 indicates further downward bias, potentially dipping by another 2–3% unless regional consumption improves.