Petroleum coke prices showed significant regional variation during Q2 2026, with South Korea recording 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 broad regional spread reflected differences in refinery supply, import dependency, quality specifications, transportation costs, and demand from energy-intensive industries.

The market remained closely linked to refinery operating rates, crude-oil processing activity, petroleum coke availability, and downstream demand from cement, aluminum, steel, power generation, and other industrial users. Regional procurement conditions varied considerably, with markets supported by domestic refinery supply generally benefiting from different cost structures than import-dependent markets. Buyers continued to balance inventory requirements with quality, freight, and delivered-cost considerations.

Regional Petroleum Coke Prices Outlook – Q2 2026: Where Are Prices Highest?

• South Korea: USD 638/MT

• Brazil: USD 475/MT

• USA: USD 405/MT

• China: USD 367/MT

• India: USD 187/MT

South Korea recorded the highest petroleum coke price at USD 638/MT, while India recorded the lowest at USD 187/MT. The USD 451/MT regional spread demonstrates the impact of refinery configurations, domestic availability, import requirements, logistics, and downstream industrial demand on petroleum coke pricing.

South Korea's higher price level reflected its regional sourcing structure and delivered-cost considerations, while India's lower price was supported by domestic refining and comparatively accessible supply. Brazil, the USA, and China occupied intermediate positions, with procurement economics influenced by refinery output, product quality, freight costs, and demand from industrial consumers.

Regional Price Analysis of Petroleum Coke Prices – Q2 2026

South Korea

South Korea recorded petroleum coke prices of USD 638/MT, the highest among the supplied markets. Pricing was influenced by refinery supply conditions, import economics, product specifications, and the cost of moving material to downstream industrial users.

Demand from cement, aluminum, power generation, and other energy-intensive industries remained important. Procurement teams continued to assess delivered costs and quality requirements while managing inventory levels to reduce exposure to changes in international petroleum coke availability.

Brazil

Brazil reported petroleum coke prices of USD 475/MT. The market remained influenced by refinery output, domestic transportation requirements, and the availability of imported and locally sourced material. Differences in sulfur and other quality characteristics also remained relevant to purchasing decisions.

Cement, aluminum, steel, and industrial fuel users represented important demand centers. Buyers continued to balance procurement volumes against freight expenses and downstream operating requirements.

USA

The USA recorded petroleum coke prices of USD 405/MT. The country's extensive refining infrastructure provides an important domestic supply base, although pricing remains influenced by refinery operating rates, product quality, export flows, and regional logistics.

Demand from cement manufacturing, aluminum production, power generation, and industrial applications supported consumption. Procurement managers remained attentive to refinery maintenance schedules and regional availability when planning purchases.

China

China recorded petroleum coke prices of USD 367/MT. The market was influenced by domestic refinery production, imported material, inventory conditions, and demand from energy-intensive industries. Regional transportation and product specifications also affected purchasing economics.

Cement, aluminum, steel, and carbon-material applications remained key consumption areas. Industrial buyers continued to adjust procurement according to inventory positions and changes in refinery supply.

India

India recorded the lowest supplied price at USD 187/MT. The comparatively low price level was supported by domestic refining activity and the availability of petroleum coke from local refinery operations, although regional logistics and quality differences continued to affect delivered costs.

Cement and aluminum industries remained major consumers, while other industrial users also contributed to demand. Buyers benefited from access to domestic supply but continued to monitor refinery operating conditions and quality requirements.

Supply and Demand Overview – Q2 2026

Petroleum coke supply remained closely linked to crude-oil refining activity and refinery configuration. Production volumes were influenced by refinery throughput, maintenance schedules, crude feedstock selection, and the operating performance of delayed coking units. Imports and exports, port capacity, inventories, and transportation costs further shaped regional availability.

Demand intensity across major downstream industries remained as follows:

• Cement: Strong demand

• Aluminum: Strong demand

• Steel and Metallurgy: Consistent demand

• Power Generation: Stable demand

• Industrial Fuel Applications: Moderate to strong demand

Overall, the market remained dependent on the balance between refinery-generated supply and energy-intensive industrial consumption. Markets with strong domestic refinery availability maintained different procurement economics from import-dependent regions, while quality and freight considerations continued to influence purchasing decisions.

Key Factors Affecting Prices – Quarterly Perspective

• Raw Material Availability: Petroleum coke production depends on crude-oil refining activity, refinery throughput, and delayed coking capacity, making refinery feedstock and operating conditions important supply variables.

• Downstream Demand: Cement, aluminum, steel, power generation, and industrial fuel applications remained important sources of petroleum coke consumption.

• Logistics: Freight rates, port handling, inland transportation, and storage availability influenced delivered costs, particularly for buyers dependent on imported petroleum coke.

• Energy Costs: Energy-intensive refining and downstream processing operations influenced the broader cost structure of petroleum coke production and consumption.

• Trade Dynamics: Import and export flows, refinery export availability, regional sourcing requirements, and product-quality specifications affected international petroleum coke pricing.

Recent Developments (Q2 Highlights)

• South Korea recorded the highest petroleum coke price among the supplied markets at USD 638/MT.

• India remained the lowest-priced market at USD 187/MT, supported by domestic refinery supply.

• Cement and aluminum industries continued to provide an important demand base for petroleum coke.

• Regional procurement conditions remained influenced by refinery availability, product quality, freight, and import requirements.

Overall, Q2 2026 demonstrated substantial regional variation in petroleum coke pricing, with domestic refinery supply and downstream industrial requirements playing a central role in determining market conditions.

For detailed insights, charts, and forecasts, explore: https://www.imarcgroup.com/petroleum-coke-pricing-report/requestsample

Petroleum Coke Price Chart Analysis – Monthly Movement

The Petroleum Coke Price Chart for Q2 2026 highlights a wide regional price structure, with South Korea positioned at the upper end and India at the lower end of the supplied markets. The differences demonstrate how refinery supply, logistics, quality, and downstream demand influence regional procurement costs.

• Early Q2: Market participants assessed refinery operating conditions, petroleum coke availability, inventories, and downstream industrial requirements.

• Mid-Q2: Buyers continued balancing cement, aluminum, and other industrial consumption against available domestic and imported supply, with delivered costs remaining an important purchasing consideration.

• Late Q2: Regional pricing remained differentiated, encouraging procurement managers to review sourcing options, inventory requirements, and the relative economics of domestic versus imported material.

The price chart helps procurement managers compare regional pricing structures, assess sourcing opportunities, plan inventories, and evaluate exposure to refinery and logistics-related supply changes.

Petroleum Coke Price Index & Historical Analysis

The Petroleum Coke Price Index during Q2 2026 reflected significant regional divergence. South Korea recorded the highest supplied price at USD 638/MT, while India recorded the lowest at USD 187/MT. This wide differential illustrates the importance of refinery configuration, domestic availability, import dependency, product specifications, and transportation economics.

Historically, petroleum coke pricing has remained closely connected to crude-oil refining activity and the output of delayed coking units. Changes in refinery throughput can influence supply, while demand cycles in cement, aluminum, steel, and power generation can determine how quickly available material is absorbed.

Key structural drivers include:

• Refinery throughput and petroleum coke production capacity

• Product quality, sulfur specifications, and logistics

• Cement, aluminum, and industrial manufacturing cycles

The Q2 2026 regional data demonstrates that petroleum coke procurement cannot be assessed solely through global market conditions. Local refinery supply, transportation economics, quality requirements, and downstream demand remain critical to determining delivered prices.

What Is Petroleum Coke?

Petroleum coke, commonly known as petcoke, is a carbon-rich solid material produced as a by-product of certain oil-refining processes, particularly delayed coking. Its high carbon content and energy value make it useful as an industrial fuel and as a feedstock in several carbon-intensive manufacturing applications.

Key applications include:

• Cement manufacturing

• Aluminum production

• Power generation

• Steel and metallurgical applications

• Industrial fuel and carbon-material production

Petroleum coke is strategically important for industries requiring carbon-rich fuels or raw materials. Its economic value depends on characteristics such as sulfur content, volatile matter, ash content, and calorific value, making product specifications important considerations for industrial buyers.

Petroleum Coke Price Forecast – Next 12 Months

The petroleum coke price outlook for the next 12 months is expected to remain volatile with a broadly supply-driven direction. Refinery operating rates, crude-oil processing activity, downstream cement and aluminum demand, international trade flows, and logistics conditions will remain important determinants of future pricing.

Key growth drivers include:

• Stable cement manufacturing activity

• Continued aluminum production requirements

• Industrial demand for carbon-rich fuel and feedstock

• Refinery throughput and petroleum coke availability

• Infrastructure and construction-related industrial consumption

Potential risks include:

• Changes in refinery operating rates

• Weakness in cement or aluminum demand

• Higher freight and transportation costs

• Changes in petroleum coke quality requirements

• Shifts in international trade and export availability

Overall, petroleum coke prices are expected to remain sensitive to refinery supply and downstream industrial demand. Markets with strong domestic production may maintain different cost structures from import-dependent regions, while changes in freight and product specifications could create further regional divergence.

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 and India at USD 187/MT. The difference reflects variations in refinery supply, import dependency, logistics, quality requirements, and industrial demand.

How does the Petroleum Coke Price Chart help procurement managers?

The chart helps procurement teams compare regional prices, evaluate sourcing alternatives, assess inventory requirements, and understand the influence of refinery availability, freight, and downstream industrial demand on purchasing costs.

What is the petroleum coke price forecast for the next 12 months?

Petroleum coke prices are expected to remain volatile, with refinery operating conditions, cement and aluminum demand, trade flows, logistics, and product quality requirements shaping future market movements.

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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