Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) flags import curbs on Low Ash Metallurgical Coke raise steel prices

Exam-focused facts from the 7 January 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

Low Ash Metallurgical Coke accounts for 35-40% of steel production costs.
India imposed country-wise quantitative restrictions limiting imports to 1.4 million tonnes per half-year.
Provisional anti-dumping duties of $60-$120 per tonne were levied on LAM Coke from Australia, China, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, and Russia.
Investigation used container freight benchmarks 8-10 times higher than actual dry-bulk freight of USD 20-25 per tonne, inflating dumping margins.
Steelmakers secured only about 1.5 million tonnes of met coke against demand of over 3 million tonnes in first half of 2025.
A 20-25% rise in coke prices translates into a 3-5% increase in finished steel prices.