DAILY: Support for China's met coke price hike remains

Despite persistent resistance from steelmakers, Chinese metallurgical coke producers continued their push for price hikes with determination on January 23, citing supportive signals on both the cost and demand sides.

Support from the cost side mainly comes from market participants' near-term expectation for tighter coal supplies, as domestic coal mines are expected to slow operations and prepare for the Chinese New Year holiday in mid-February, market sources noted. While upward momentum may have eased in the coking coal market, a