However, industry analysts believe the situation for the world’s largest coal consumer won’t last long. Stockpiles at the Qinhuangdao Port in Hebei province rose the most in six months on slowing demand. Data from the China Coal Transport and Distribution Association showed that coal with an energy value of 5,500 kilocalories per kilogram slid by 1.96% to $100/mt after 10 weeks of decline. According to the CCTDA report, in the last two months, the price slumped 23% from the same period in 2011, indicating unusually weak industrial demand. Sales of coal resources in coal-rich regions such as Shanxi, Shaanxi and Inner Mongolia have been seriously affected as a result.

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