The compromise between coal and metal industry on 4Q2010 coal price may be hard to reach. Coal producers insist on 10-per-cent increase while metallurgists point at a declining trend of the world prices.

BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Vale decreased their 4Q2010 prices by 7 to 12 per cent, and informal sources report even greater reduction of export prices by Russian companies.

The latter are not in a hurry to table their cards, only Raspadskaya openly declaring its intent to increase price. Mechel and Evraz Group position may be of more significance, for Raspadskaya with its output impaired by the accident is no longer considered as setting prices.

Theme:  Current situation/Coal/Russia