India’s Ministry of Steel has urged the Ministry of Finance to withdraw anti-dumping tariffs on low-ash metallurgical coke imports, citing inadequate domestic supplies and rising prices, as reported in a government document reviewed by Reuters.
As the world’s second-largest producer of crude steel, India imposed a provisional anti-dumping duty on low-ash metallurgical coke—commonly known as met coke—in December, which was set for a duration of six months.
The country primarily sources met coke from countries including China, Indonesia, Poland, Japan, and Switzerland. Following the imposition of these tariffs, import volumes have significantly decreased, according to industry experts.
In a memorandum dated May 18, the Steel Ministry expressed concerns about the limited availability of met coke in the domestic market, alongside a considerable increase in domestic prices, which has created a substantial financial burden for steel manufacturers.
The ministries have not responded to inquiries from Reuters seeking additional comments.
The Steel Ministry also highlighted challenges faced by state-run Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL). The company has struggled to procure sufficient quantities of met coke at reasonable prices in the domestic market, leading to a reported 20% increase in input costs.
As RINL undergoes a government-backed financial revival, the memo stated that its operational viability and competitiveness have been adversely impacted due to insufficient supplies of met coke.
RINL has not provided a response to Reuters regarding these issues.
Furthermore, the Steel Ministry noted the difficulties encountered by small and medium-sized steelmakers who depend heavily on merchant suppliers for met coke. It stated, “The domestic market has not been able to ensure adequate availability of met coke at competitive rates to meet the requirements of the steel industry.”
Published on May 22, 2026.
