Executive Summary
Petroleum Coke Prices recorded significant regional variation during Q2 2026, with South Korea reporting the highest price at USD 638/MT, followed by Brazil at USD 475/MT, the USA at USD 405/MT, China at USD 367/MT, and India at USD 187/MT. The IMARC Price Index reflected a differentiated pricing environment shaped by refinery output, feedstock economics, calcining demand, freight conditions, and regional industrial consumption.
Demand from cement manufacturing, aluminum production, steelmaking, power generation, and other energy-intensive industrial applications remained important to petroleum coke consumption. Procurement teams continued to assess refinery availability, product specifications, inventories, shipping costs, and regional trade flows. The wide difference between South Korea and India highlighted the influence of regional supply structures, import requirements, logistics, and downstream consumption patterns.
Regional Petroleum Coke Prices Outlook – Q2 2026: Where Are Prices Highest?
USA: USD 405/MT
China: USD 367/MT
Brazil: USD 475/MT
India: USD 187/MT
South Korea: USD 638/MT
South Korea recorded the highest petroleum coke price at USD 638/MT, while India reported the lowest at USD 187/MT. The substantial regional spread reflected differences in refinery configurations, domestic availability, import dependence, transportation costs, quality specifications, and downstream industrial demand. South Korea's higher price level indicated comparatively firm procurement conditions within the covered markets.
Brazil recorded USD 475/MT, followed by the USA at USD 405/MT and China at USD 367/MT. These markets maintained different procurement structures based on domestic refinery supply, import requirements, cement and industrial demand, and logistics. India's comparatively low price reflected distinct local supply and downstream consumption conditions, creating a wide gap across the reported markets.
Regional Price Analysis of Petroleum Coke Prices – Q2 2026
USA
Petroleum coke prices in the USA reached USD 405/MT during Q2 2026. The market remained influenced by refinery production, crude processing economics, and demand from cement, aluminum, power generation, and industrial users. Domestic availability and established distribution infrastructure supported procurement, while product specifications and transportation costs remained important considerations. Buyers continued to balance refinery-linked supply with downstream requirements and inventory planning.
China
China recorded petroleum coke prices of USD 367/MT. Demand from cement, aluminum, steel, and other industrial sectors remained important to market conditions. Domestic refinery output and imported material availability influenced supply, while environmental requirements and industrial operating rates affected purchasing activity. Procurement teams continued to monitor inventories, quality specifications, transportation costs, and refinery operating conditions when planning purchases.
Brazil
Brazil reported petroleum coke prices of USD 475/MT during Q2 2026. Demand from cement, aluminum, and industrial manufacturing supported consumption, while import and transportation requirements influenced delivered costs. Regional availability remained dependent on refinery supply and international sourcing channels. Buyers continued to evaluate freight costs, inventory positions, product quality, and supplier reliability as part of procurement planning.
India
India recorded petroleum coke prices of USD 187/MT, the lowest among the reported markets. Consumption from cement, aluminum, power generation, and industrial applications remained significant, while domestic refinery output and import flows shaped availability. Buyers continued to monitor quality specifications and environmental considerations alongside cost. The comparatively low reported price reflected differences in regional supply and downstream procurement economics.
South Korea
South Korea recorded petroleum coke prices of USD 638/MT, the highest reported regional value. Demand from cement, industrial processing, power generation, and other energy-intensive applications remained important. The market's supply structure and dependence on international trade flows contributed to procurement conditions, while transportation and product specifications influenced delivered costs. Buyers continued to prioritize reliable supply and inventory coverage.
Supply and Demand Overview – Q2 2026
Petroleum coke supply remained closely linked to crude oil refining activity, refinery configurations, coking operations, production rates, inventories, and international trade flows. Refinery output determines the availability and quality of petroleum coke, while transportation infrastructure influences the ability to move material from producing regions to consuming markets. Quality characteristics such as sulfur and metal content can also affect suitability for different applications.
Demand intensity across major downstream industries remained as follows:
Cement Manufacturing: Strong demand
Aluminum Production: Strong demand
Power Generation: Stable demand
Steelmaking: Stable demand
Industrial Manufacturing: Moderate demand
The supply-demand balance remained regionally differentiated, reflected in the substantial price spread between South Korea and India. Downstream industrial activity, refinery production, import requirements, and logistics continued to shape procurement economics. Buyers remained focused on maintaining suitable inventories while balancing price, quality, and supply reliability.
Key Factors Affecting Prices – Quarterly Perspective
Raw Material Availability: Petroleum coke is generated during crude oil refining, making refinery throughput, crude processing patterns, and coking capacity important determinants of supply.
Downstream Demand: Cement, aluminum, power generation, steel, and industrial users provide significant consumption, with operating rates influencing procurement requirements.
Logistics: Maritime freight, port capacity, storage, inland transportation, and handling requirements can materially influence delivered petroleum coke costs.
Energy Costs: Petroleum coke is widely used as an energy and industrial feedstock, while refinery and handling operations also involve energy expenses that influence overall economics.
Trade Dynamics: Export availability, import requirements, refinery-linked trade flows, quality specifications, and international shipping conditions influence regional market balances.
Recent Developments (Q2 2026 Highlights)
South Korea recorded the highest reported petroleum coke price at USD 638/MT, reflecting its regional procurement and supply structure.
Brazil reported USD 475/MT, with cement, aluminum, and industrial demand contributing to consumption requirements.
The USA and China recorded USD 405/MT and USD 367/MT, respectively, with refinery output and downstream industrial activity influencing market conditions.
India recorded the lowest reported price at USD 187/MT, reflecting comparatively different domestic supply and procurement conditions.
The Q2 2026 market displayed substantial regional differentiation, with refinery supply, downstream demand, logistics, and international trade flows influencing procurement costs.
For detailed insights, charts, and forecasts, explore: https://www.imarcgroup.com/petroleum-coke-pricing-report/requestsample
Petroleum Coke Price Chart Analysis – Quarterly Movement
The Petroleum Coke Price Chart for Q2 2026 illustrates a substantial regional pricing spread. South Korea recorded the highest reported value at USD 638/MT, while India recorded USD 187/MT. Brazil, the USA, and China occupied intermediate positions, reflecting differences in refinery supply, import exposure, industrial demand, and logistics.
Early Q2 2026: Procurement conditions were influenced by refinery output, product availability, downstream cement and aluminum requirements, inventories, and international trade flows.
Mid-Q2 2026: Industrial consumption remained important across the covered markets, while buyers evaluated refinery supply, quality specifications, freight conditions, and purchasing requirements.
Late Q2 2026: Regional price differences remained pronounced, with South Korea maintaining the highest reported price and India the lowest.
The price chart helps procurement managers compare regional price structures, assess sourcing alternatives, monitor freight and supply exposure, and plan inventories. It also supports evaluation of supplier contracts and purchasing strategies across energy-intensive industrial applications.
Petroleum Coke Price Index & Historical Analysis
The Petroleum Coke Price Index during Q2 2026 reflected pronounced regional differentiation, with prices ranging from USD 187/MT in India to USD 638/MT in South Korea. The wide spread demonstrated the influence of refinery supply structures, downstream industrial demand, product specifications, transportation costs, and trade flows.
Historically, petroleum coke prices have been influenced by crude oil refining activity, refinery configurations, coking capacity, fuel demand, cement production, aluminum manufacturing, power generation, and international freight conditions. Quality specifications also play an important role because sulfur, metals, and other characteristics determine the suitability of petroleum coke for specific downstream applications.
Key structural drivers include:
Refinery throughput and petroleum coke production capacity
Cement, aluminum, and industrial processing activity
International trade flows and maritime logistics
The Q2 2026 index structure demonstrates that petroleum coke procurement conditions can vary significantly between regions. Buyers therefore need to evaluate both headline prices and the quality, transportation, and supply characteristics associated with each sourcing market.
What Is Petroleum Coke?
Petroleum coke is a carbon-rich solid material produced as a by-product of certain crude oil refining processes, particularly during delayed coking and related operations. It contains high levels of carbon and can be supplied in different grades depending on sulfur, metals, volatile matter, and other characteristics. These properties determine its suitability for fuel and industrial applications.
Key applications include:
Cement manufacturing
Aluminum production
Power generation
Steel and industrial processing
Calcined petroleum coke production
Petroleum coke is strategically important because it provides a high-carbon energy and industrial feedstock for several energy-intensive sectors. Its value depends not only on quantity and price but also on quality characteristics, which determine compatibility with cement kilns, power systems, aluminum anodes, and other industrial processes.
Petroleum Coke Price Forecast – Next 12 Months
The petroleum coke price outlook for the next 12 months is expected to remain volatile and regionally differentiated, with refinery throughput, crude processing conditions, cement and aluminum demand, product specifications, and international trade flows influencing market direction. Regional procurement costs may continue to differ significantly because of variations in domestic availability and import requirements.
Key growth drivers include :
Cement manufacturing requirements
Aluminum and calcined petroleum coke demand
Industrial fuel consumption
Power generation requirements
Refinery-linked supply availability
Potential risks include :
Changes in crude oil refinery throughput
Shifts in refinery coking operations
Weakness in cement or aluminum production
Freight and port logistics disruptions
Changes in international trade flows
Overall, petroleum coke prices are expected to remain sensitive to refinery output and industrial consumption. Markets dependent on imported material may remain particularly exposed to freight and supply-flow changes, while domestic refinery availability can create different procurement conditions. Buyers are likely to focus on quality-adjusted costs, inventory planning, supplier diversification, and reliable long-term supply arrangements.
FAQs About Petroleum Coke Prices Insights & Market Analysis
What does the Petroleum Coke Price Index indicate in Q2 2026?
The index indicates substantial regional price variation, with South Korea at USD 638/MT, Brazil at USD 475/MT, the USA at USD 405/MT, China at USD 367/MT, and India at USD 187/MT.
How does the Petroleum Coke Price Chart help procurement managers?
The chart helps procurement teams compare regional prices, evaluate supply and logistics conditions, assess quality-related sourcing exposure, plan inventories, and support supplier negotiations.
What is the petroleum coke price forecast for the next 12 months?
Petroleum coke prices are expected to remain volatile and regionally differentiated, with refinery output, industrial demand, product quality, logistics, and international trade flows influencing future conditions.
How IMARC Pricing Database Can Help
The latest IMARC Group study, "Petroleum Coke Prices, Trend, Chart, Demand, Market Analysis, News, Historical and Forecast Data 2026 Edition," provides a detailed analysis of Petroleum Coke price trends and global market dynamics. The report covers price movements, regional developments, demand patterns, supply conditions, and the factors influencing current and future prices.
The analysis examines the relationship between raw material costs, production conditions, downstream demand, logistics, trade flows, and regional market developments. By exploring the interaction between supply and demand, the pricing analysis provides businesses with useful insights into current market conditions and future pricing dynamics.
Explore pricing intelligence across 500+ commodities: https://www.imarcgroup.com/pricing-intelligence
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IMARC Group is a global management consulting firm that provides a comprehensive suite of services to support market entry and expansion efforts. The company offers detailed market assessments, feasibility studies, regulatory approvals and licensing support, and pricing analysis, including spot pricing and regional price trends. Its expertise spans demand-supply analysis alongside regional insights covering Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. IMARC also specializes in competitive landscape evaluations, profiling key market players, and conducting research into market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. IMARC's data-driven approach helps businesses navigate complex markets with precision and confidence.
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