Petroleum Coke Prices showed considerable regional variation in Q2 2026, with South Korea recording the highest assessed 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 differences in refinery output, feedstock availability, calcination requirements, freight economics, inventories, and downstream industrial consumption.

Petroleum coke demand remained closely connected to cement manufacturing, aluminum production, power generation, steelmaking, and other energy-intensive industrial applications. Procurement conditions varied according to refinery utilization, crude processing patterns, sulfur characteristics, import requirements, freight costs, and local inventories. The substantial spread between South Korea and India highlighted significant differences in regional supply-chain structures and purchasing economics.

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 assessed petroleum coke price at USD 638/MT, while India recorded the lowest at USD 187/MT. Brazil stood at USD 475/MT, followed by the USA at USD 405/MT and China at USD 367/MT.

The broad regional spread reflected differences in refinery supply, petroleum coke quality, sulfur content, downstream demand, import exposure, freight costs, and inventory availability. Markets with greater dependence on imported material remained particularly sensitive to international logistics and delivered-cost considerations.

Regional Price Analysis of Petroleum Coke Prices – Q2 2026

USA

Petroleum coke prices in the USA stood at USD 405/MT in Q2 2026. Domestic refinery output remained an important factor influencing supply availability, while demand from cement, aluminum, power generation, and industrial users supported consumption. Procurement conditions were influenced by refinery operating rates, product specifications, inventories, and transportation costs. Buyers continued to balance domestic availability with downstream fuel and industrial requirements.

China

China recorded a petroleum coke price of USD 367/MT in Q2 2026. Demand remained connected to aluminum, cement, power generation, and other energy-intensive industries. Domestic refinery output, imports, inventories, transportation, and product quality influenced procurement conditions. Industrial buyers continued to evaluate replacement costs and supply reliability while managing fuel and raw-material requirements.

Brazil

Brazil recorded a petroleum coke price of USD 475/MT in Q2 2026. Demand from cement, aluminum, industrial fuel, and other heavy industries supported the market. Import requirements, refinery supply, freight costs, inventories, and regional distribution influenced purchasing economics. Buyers remained attentive to delivered costs and material specifications when arranging procurement.

India

India recorded the lowest assessed petroleum coke price at USD 187/MT in Q2 2026. Demand remained closely linked to cement manufacturing, aluminum processing, power generation, and other industrial applications. Refinery availability, domestic distribution, imports, inventories, and product specifications influenced purchasing decisions. Industrial consumers continued to balance fuel requirements with cost and supply considerations.

South Korea

South Korea recorded the highest petroleum coke price at USD 638/MT in Q2 2026. The market remained influenced by industrial fuel demand, aluminum-related consumption, refinery supply, imports, and logistics. Product specifications and international freight conditions were important considerations for buyers. Procurement teams continued to evaluate material availability and delivered costs when securing supplies.

Supply and Demand Overview – Q2 2026

Petroleum coke supply remained dependent on refinery throughput, crude processing configurations, refinery operating rates, product quality, inventories, and international trade flows. Changes in refinery production can alter petroleum coke availability, while sulfur content and other specifications determine suitability for particular downstream applications. Imports and exports also influence regional supply balances.

• Cement Manufacturing: Very high demand

• Aluminum Production: Very high demand

• Power Generation: High demand

• Steelmaking: High demand

• Industrial Fuel Applications: High demand

• Calcined Petroleum Coke Production: High demand

The overall supply-demand balance remained differentiated across regions. Strong consumption from energy-intensive industries supported petroleum coke demand, while refinery output, imports, inventories, and freight conditions influenced local availability. Regional procurement economics therefore remained dependent on both refinery-side supply and downstream industrial consumption.

Key Factors Affecting Prices – Quarterly Perspective

• Raw Material Availability: Refinery throughput and crude processing patterns determine the volume and characteristics of petroleum coke available for industrial use.

• Downstream Demand: Cement, aluminum, power generation, steel, and other energy-intensive industries remain important sources of petroleum coke consumption.

• Logistics: Ocean freight, ports, inland transportation, storage, and distribution costs influence delivered petroleum coke prices, particularly in import-dependent markets.

• Energy Costs: Petroleum coke competes with other industrial fuels, making broader energy economics an important consideration for buyers and producers.

• Trade Dynamics: Import requirements, export availability, refinery trade flows, product specifications, and international freight conditions influence regional market balances.

Recent Developments (Q2 2026 Highlights)

• South Korea recorded the highest assessed petroleum coke price at USD 638/MT in Q2 2026, while India recorded the lowest at USD 187/MT.

• Brazil reached USD 475/MT, while the USA and China recorded USD 405/MT and USD 367/MT respectively, reflecting significant regional differences in supply and procurement economics.

• Demand from cement, aluminum, power generation, steelmaking, and other energy-intensive industries remained central to petroleum coke consumption during the quarter.

• Refinery operating conditions, product specifications, inventories, import requirements, and freight economics continued to influence regional availability and purchasing decisions.

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

Petroleum Coke Price Chart Analysis – Quarterly Movement

The Q2 2026 petroleum coke price chart highlights a pronounced regional spread, with South Korea at the highest assessed level and India at the lowest. Brazil, the USA, and China occupied intermediate positions, reflecting differences in refinery supply, industrial demand, trade exposure, and logistics.

• Early Q2: Procurement teams assessed refinery production, inventories, product quality, industrial fuel requirements, and import availability when planning purchases.

• Mid-Q2: Regional pricing remained influenced by downstream cement and aluminum demand, refinery output, transportation costs, and international supply conditions.

• Late Q2: Assessed prices stood at USD 638/MT in South Korea, USD 475/MT in Brazil, USD 405/MT in the USA, USD 367/MT in China, and USD 187/MT in India.

For procurement managers, the price chart provides a useful comparison of regional petroleum coke costs and sourcing conditions. Monitoring refinery output, inventories, freight economics, downstream demand, and product specifications can support purchasing and supply-chain planning.

Petroleum Coke Price Index & Historical Analysis

The petroleum coke price index in Q2 2026 showed substantial regional differentiation, with assessed prices ranging from USD 187/MT in India to USD 638/MT in South Korea. Brazil, the USA, and China recorded intermediate levels, highlighting the importance of regional refinery structures, downstream demand, trade flows, and delivered logistics costs.

Petroleum coke pricing is structurally influenced by refinery throughput, crude processing patterns, product quality, sulfur characteristics, inventories, downstream industrial demand, and international trade. Historical market behavior can also respond to changes in cement production, aluminum smelting, power generation, steelmaking, refinery utilization, and global freight conditions.

• Raw Material Availability: Refinery throughput and crude processing configurations determine petroleum coke production and availability.

• Production and Processing Capacity: Refinery operations, storage infrastructure, and calcination capacity influence the supply available for different industrial applications.

• Downstream Manufacturing Cycles: Cement, aluminum, steel, power generation, and other energy-intensive industrial activities determine consumption intensity.

The Q2 2026 index demonstrates that petroleum coke procurement economics can differ substantially between regions. Buyers should evaluate refinery supply, product specifications, inventories, freight, and downstream consumption together when developing sourcing strategies.

What Is Petroleum Coke?

Petroleum coke is a carbon-rich solid material produced as a by-product of petroleum refining. Its properties, including carbon content and sulfur characteristics, determine its suitability for fuel and industrial applications. Different grades are used across energy-intensive industries and can undergo further processing to meet specific manufacturing requirements.

• Cement Manufacturing: Used as an industrial fuel in cement kilns because of its high carbon content and energy value.

• Aluminum Production: Used as a key carbon material in the production of aluminum anodes after suitable processing.

• Power Generation: Used as a fuel source in certain power-generation applications.

• Steelmaking: Supports energy and carbon requirements in selected metallurgical processes.

• Calcined Petroleum Coke: Processed into higher-purity material for applications requiring specific carbon characteristics.

Petroleum coke is strategically important because it provides an energy-rich carbon material for several heavy industrial sectors. Its availability, quality, sulfur characteristics, and delivered cost can directly influence the operating economics of cement, aluminum, power, and metallurgical industries.

Petroleum Coke Price Forecast – Next 12 Months

The petroleum coke price outlook for the next 12 months is expected to remain stable to volatile, with refinery operating rates, industrial fuel demand, inventories, crude processing patterns, and international trade conditions shaping market direction. Cement and aluminum consumption should provide underlying support, while changes in refinery supply and freight costs may create significant regional differences.

Key growth drivers include :

• Continued cement manufacturing requirements.

• Sustained aluminum production activity.

• Industrial fuel demand from energy-intensive sectors.

• Demand for calcined petroleum coke.

• Continued requirements from steel and metallurgical industries.

Potential risks include :

• Increased refinery petroleum coke availability.

• Higher inventories across consuming markets.

• Slower cement and construction activity.

• Reduced aluminum and steel production.

• Lower industrial fuel consumption.

Overall, petroleum coke prices are expected to remain stable to volatile over the next 12 months. Refinery supply and downstream industrial consumption will remain the principal market drivers, while freight costs, inventories, product specifications, and trade flows could generate substantial regional differences.

FAQs About Petroleum Coke Prices Insights & Market Analysis

• What does the Petroleum Coke Price Index indicate in Q2 2026?
  The Q2 2026 index indicates significant regional variation, with South Korea recording USD 638/MT and India recording USD 187/MT.

• How does the Petroleum Coke Price Chart help procurement managers?
  It helps procurement teams compare regional prices, assess refinery and logistics conditions, monitor downstream demand, and plan purchasing requirements.

• What is the petroleum coke price forecast for the next 12 months?
  The outlook is expected to remain stable to volatile, with refinery output, industrial demand, inventories, freight costs, product specifications, and trade flows influencing prices.

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

About Us:

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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