【Petroleum Coke】Month-on-Month Increase of 51%! Imports Rose in December, ...

Calcined petroleum coke, with its high carbon content, low sulfur, and low impurities, plays a vital role in modern manufacturing, especially in the aluminum and steel industries.

【Petroleum Coke】Month-on-Month Increase of 51%! Imports Rose in December, Trading Activity Remained Active

Overview of Import and Export Data

In December 2025, China's imports of uncalcined petroleum coke reached 1.3702 million tons, an increase of 464,700 tons month on month, representing a rise of 51.32%, and an increase of 387,300 tons year on year, up 39.41%.

The average import price of petroleum coke in December was USD 229.34/ton, down USD 3.91/ton month on month, a decrease of 1.68%. Among suppliers, the United States recorded the largest import volume at 379,100 tons, with an average import price of USD 164.44/ton.

From January to December 2025, cumulative imports totaled 15.3618 million tons, an increase of 1.963 million tons year on year, up 14.65%.

Comparison of Petroleum Coke Import Data Trends, 2024–2025

(Unit: 10,000 tons, USD/ton)

Images from Oilchem, data sourced from the General Administration of Customs

Export Data Overview

In December 2025, China's exports of uncalcined petroleum coke totaled 16,700 tons, a decrease of 8,400 tons month on month, down 33.5%, while increasing 5,200 tons year on year, up 44.92%. The average export price was USD 429.86/ton, down USD 105.8/ton month on month, a decline of 19.75%.
Indonesia recorded the largest export volume at 9,100 tons, with an average export price of USD 558.49/ton. From January to December 2025, cumulative exports reached 221,100 tons, an increase of 33,000 tons year on year, up 17.53%.

Comparison of Petroleum Coke Export Data Trends, 2024–2025

(Unit: 10,000 tons, USD/ton)

Images from Oilchem, data sourced from the General Administration of Customs

Influencing Factors

Imports: In December, adjustments in international trade policies led to a substantial increase in China's imports of U.S. petroleum coke, resulting in a sharp rise in overall import volumes. As the domestic market approached year-end and the Spring Festival holiday, trading companies advanced transactions and stocked up on raw materials, further increasing petroleum coke imports.

Exports: In December, China's petroleum coke exports declined slightly from the previous month to 16,700 tons. Due to the year-end and early-year period and the Spring Festival holiday, market trading activity remained active; however, coupled with declining export prices of petroleum coke, profit margins narrowed, leading to a reduction in export volumes.

Import Trading Partners

In December 2025, China's uncalcined petroleum coke imports by trading partner were mainly from the United States, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Canada, and Belgium. The combined import volume from these five countries and regions was 1.0019 million tons, accounting for approximately 73.12% of total imports for the month.

Export Trading Partners

In December 2025, the top three destinations for China's uncalcined petroleum coke exports were Indonesia, Angola, and Vietnam, with a combined export volume of 24,800 tons, accounting for 99.4% of the total, making them the key export markets for China's petroleum coke.

Trend Forecast

In January 2026, imports are expected to reach 1.25 million tons, while exports are forecast at 15,000 tons. As January approaches the Spring Festival holiday, some trading companies are increasing raw material stockpiling. In addition, domestic inventories of imported petroleum coke remain at a mid-range level, maintenance plans for the first and second quarters have been released, and downstream operating rates are expected to remain in line with 2025 levels. With sufficient market support, trading companies generally hold optimistic expectations, and petroleum coke import volumes are expected to remain at a relatively high level.

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