Chinese Ministry of Commerce just released second batch of coke export quota in 2008, totaling 2.39 million tons.

     The amount of the quota is similar to the second batch of quota of 2.35 million tons last year.

     Adding the quota of the first batch, the coke export quota released in 2008 totaled 12.01 million tons, 140,000 tons less than that in 2007.

     Yang Wenbiao, secretary general of China Coking Industry Association (CCIA), said that the coke quota released this time was suitable.

     He said that China's coal export ought to be kept a stable level and decline moderately so as to contribute to the stabilization of international market.

     Altogether 32 coke enterprises got export quotas this time, five less than that in the first batch.

     Wang Ling, an analyst with Umetal.com said that large coke production enterprises have got more export quotas this time.

     The export quotas of trade enterprises were compressed.

     Insiders meanwhile pointed out that China's coke export has entered a peak period recently. Restriction of the export of excessive resource products including coke is a direction for China's macro control.

     Therefore, if coke export continues to expand in the next two months, relevant authorities are likely to adjust the export tariff up five percent to 30 percent.