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  Introduction

Coal Prices, Supplies,
and Demand


Metallurgical Coal and Coke Markets


Coal Futures Markets

References

Tables

Table I. Average Quarterly U.S. Coal Prices

Table II. Prices of Metallurgical Coal and Coke by Disposition

Table III. Average Price of Coal Receipts at Coke Plants by Census Division

Table IV. U.S. Metallurgical Coal Disposition

Table V. Coke Supplies, Blast Furnace Production, and Iron and Steel Imports

Figures

Figure 1. Average Biweekly Spot Coal Prices, 2000-2001

Figure 2. Average Quarterly U.S. Coal Prices

Figure 3. Prices of Metallurgical Coal and Coke by Disposition

Figure 4. Coke Plants and Other Industries Are Minor Factors in Historical and Projected Coal Demand

Figure 5. U.S. Met Coal Exports Plunge as Domestic Demand Holds

Figure 6. Iron and Steel Imports Capture Market Growth

Figure 7. NYMEX Central Appalachian Coal Futures Near-Month Contract Final Settlement Price

Figure 8. Daily Volume Central Appalachian Coal Futures Contracts
U.S. Metallurgical Coal and Coke Supplies–Prices, Availability, and the Emerging Futures Markets

Metallurgical Coal and Coke Markets (Continued)
Table III. Average Price of Coal Receipts at Coke Plants by Census Division
(Dollars per Short Ton)
Census Division April - June 2001 January - March 2001 April - June 2000 Year to Date
2001 2000 Percent Change
Middle Atlantic Total $43.03 $43.01 $42.72 $43.02 $42.80 0.5
East North Central Total $46.76 $46.80 $45.89 $46.78 $45.73 2.3
South Atlantic Total w w w w w w
East South Central Total $46.78 $45.38 $44.75 $46.02 $45.26 1.7
Mountain Total w w w w w w
U.S. Total $45.65 $45.29 $44.39 $45.46 $44.42 2.3
   Source: Energy Information Administration, Quarterly Coal Report.

D
Figure 4. Coke Plants and Other Industries Are Minor Factors in Historical and Projected Coal Demand
Figure 4. Coke Plants and Other Industries Are Minor Factors in Historical and Projected Coal Demand
   Sources: Energy Information Administration, Quarterly Coal Report, Short Term Energy Outlook, and Annual Energy Outlook.
   Note: Data for 2003 and subsequent years are projections from Annual Energy Outlook 2002, early release.

Figure 5 and Table IV document the sizable decline in U.S. metallurgical coal exports during the past 5 years—a 52 percent drop between the 3rd quarter of 1996 and the 2nd quarter of 2001. Recent reports predict a likely increase in metallurgical coal imports to the United States, primarily from the major exporter, Fording Incorporated of Canada. The data in Table IV indicate that as of the end of 2000, however, no significant increases of met coal imports were recorded. As Figure 5 clearly illustrates, the losses of export market for U.S. metallurgical coal did not correspond to any growth in imports of met coal. Instead, the minor decline in coal consumed at domestic coke plants is more likely related to increased use of pulverized coal injection at blast furnaces.

D
Figure 5. U.S. Met Coal Exports Plunge as Domestic Demand Holds
Figure 5. U.S. Met Coal Exports Plunge as Domestic Demand Holds
   Source: Energy Information Administration, Quarterly Coal Report and Coal Industry Annual.

Metallurgical Coal and Coke Markets (Continued)