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China's imports of uncalcined petroleum coke remained elevated in March, rising 24.47 per cent year-on-year to 1.4224 million tonnes, though down 13.5 per cent month-on-month, according to data from the General Administration of Customs of PRC (GACC). The average import price stood at USD 242.85 per tonne in March, up 11.07 per cent month-on-month. US remained the largest supplier, shipping 415,600 tonnes at an average price of USD 186.26 per tonne.
{alcircleadd}Top 5 import origins were US, Russia, Oman, Canada and Argentina, with their combined imports totalling 1.0878 million tonnes, accounting for approximately 76.48 per cent of China's total. Meanwhile, general trade was the dominant mode for China's imports of uncalcined petroleum coke, with imports reaching 1.382 million tonnes, or 97.16 per cent of the total.
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Cumulative imports in Q1 reached 4.5124 million tonnes, a sharp 41.48 per cent increase from the same period last year. The strong imports were driven by stockpiling demand ahead of concentrated plant turnarounds in Q2 and firm domestic price support from late February to March.

China's uncalcined petroleum coke exports surged 240.25 per cent year-on-year to 25.000 tonnes in March, up 57.19 per cent month-on-month, supported by rising global consumption, particularly from new aluminium smelters overseas. The average export price rose 4.91 per cent month-on-month to USD 526.8 per tonne. In Q1, petroleum coke exports totalled 56,700 tonnes, soaring 232.85 per cent year-on-year.
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Looking ahead, April uncalcined petroleum coke imports are expected to drop to around 900,000 tonnes, while exports are forecast at 20,000 tonnes. The sharp decline is attributed to the ongoing Middle East conflict, which has disrupted regional shipments and raised freight costs, weighing on China's export competitiveness.
Note: This news is published under a content and exchange agreement with Mysteel
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