India: BigMint coking coal index jumps by $11 w-o-w as global prices climb to over 1-year high
-
- Two deals concluded by Indian mills for Jan’26 loading
-
- Australian coking coal price surges to highest since Aug’24
BigMint’s premium hard coking coal (PHCC) index was assessed at $238/tonne (t) CNF Paradip, India, on 19 December, up by $11/t against the previous assessment on 12 December 2025.
An eastern India based mill booked 30,000t Australian PHCC at $238/t CNF India for Jan’26 loading. Another deal was heard to have concluded at $239/t CNF India, however, it could not be confirmed till the time of publishing this report.
Another mill in southern India was learnt to be in the market for booking a cargo. Limited offers of mid Vol have pushed offers high. Additionally, INR hit a record low against the US dollar, falling below 91 on Wednesday, making imports costlier.
BigMint has consolidated its Prime Hard Coking Coal (PHCC) CFR India Index to include material of all origins, including US, Canada, Mozambique, Australia — normalised for quality and freight. With India steadily reducing its reliance on Australian PHCC and increasing imports from alternative sources, this update ensures the index accurately reflects evolving market dynamics and trade flows.
Factors impacting imported coking coal prices
Indian met coke prices inch down in western markets – Prices in the Indian metallurgical coke (met coke) market were mixed across regions in the week ended 17 December 2025. While markets in eastern India managed to hold ground, western markets face price pressure amid weak demand and ample inventories. In eastern India, blast furnace (BF) grade met coke (25-90 mm) was assessed at INR 32,000/tonnes (t) ex-Jajpur on Wednesday, unchanged week-on-week (w-o-w). Conversely, BF-grade met coke prices ex-works Gandhidham were assessed at INR 29,800/t, down INR 400/t w-o-w. Foundry-grade met coke prices also edged lower, with ex-Rajkot assessments at INR 35,800/t, declining INR 200/t over the week.
Australian premium hard coking coal prices rise to over 1 year high – Australian coking coal price surged to highest since August 2024, and was assessed at $217 FoB.
Another price cut weighs on China’s met coke market – The near-term outlook for the Chinese metallurgical coke market remained dim on December 17, as anticipation of another met coke price cut from steelmakers intensified among market participants.
Indian mills raise HRC, CRC list prices after early-Dec’25 rollover – Leading Indian steelmakers have raised list prices of hot-rolled coil (HRC) and cold-rolled coil (CRC) prices by between INR 750-1,000/tonnes (t) in the week ended 19 December, after keeping them stable during sales for the beginning of December, compared to sales at the end of November.
