China's output of all types of coal increased by a fast 4.4% on year in September to reach 414.46 million tonnes, the highest level since April 2023, according to the latest release from China's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on October 18. The total was also higher by 4.5% from

The stocks of thermal coal at China's major ports have accumulated further, mainly as demand has been weak during the off-peak season for steam coal consumption, resulting in the pace of destocking being slow, a new survey report issued by Mysteel points out.

The average operational rate of the 110 Chinese independent and affiliated coking coal wash plants under Mysteel's regular survey rebounded to 69.53% during October 9-15, up by 1.06 percentage points compared with the previous survey period, the latest survey findings showed.

Iron ore prices fluctuated in China's spot market last week, with the prices rebounding moderately later in the week after being weighed down earlier by cooled market sentiment. Meanwhile, spot metallurgical coke prices in the country rose further as coke firms continued to demand price rises.