First, the output has grown steadily. In the first half of this year, coke production increased due to factors such as increased market demand. The national coke production was 234 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 6.7%. According to the China Iron and Steel Association, the coke output of key steel enterprises was 55 million tons, up 5.8% year-on-year, and other coking enterprises were 179 million tons, up 11.9% year-on-year.

Second, the export volume fell. In the first half of 2019, the export volume of coke (including semi-coke) in the country continued to decrease, and the export value dropped significantly. The national total export volume of coke was 3.846 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 19.7%, and the export value was 7.72 billion yuan, down 17.7% year-on-year; however, the average export price of coke was 2007.3 yuan/ton, up 2.5% year-on-year.

Third, the price fluctuated. In the first half of this year, driven by the coal and steel market, coke prices fluctuated at a high level. According to the statistics of the China Coking Industry Association, the average price of secondary metallurgical coke was 1987.2 yuan/ton, up 4.1% year-on-year. Since May, coke prices have reversed the decline and rebounded. In June, the price rose to 2075.8 yuan/ton.

Fourth, the industry's profitability continues to improve. Since the beginning of this year, coke prices have been running at a high level, and the economic benefits of the industry have continued to improve. Taking Shanxi Province as an example, from January to May, the main business income of the coking industry was 81.87 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 15.4%; the profit was 4.26 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 17%.