Thermal Coal Prices

Thermal coal prices averaged USD 129.63 per metric ton in July, down 10.2% from June. On 31 July, the commodity traded at USD 130.15 per metric ton, up 0.4% from 30 June.

In June, Australian thermal coal prices hit a nearly two-year high as Asia’s imports of the fuel surged, partly because of a mine accident in China that led the authorities to shut 155 coal mines. In July, average prices then plunged to their lowest since the Iran war broke out as China began to reopen mines, with investors expecting the country’s import demand to ease as a result. Still, support came from higher Japanese and South Korean imports, which were up roughly 40% from the prior month.