China has lowered its export quota for metallurgical coke in the first half of 2012 by 8% to 4.2 million mt from 4.6 million mt a year ago, the Ministry of Commerce said earlier this week.

The figure was also an 11% increase on the quota for H2 2011 of 3.8 million mt, the data released Tuesday showed.

The quota for exporters located in border provinces and autonomous regions was set at 520,751 mt, a figure the ministry said was stable from 2011 levels, as a means to promote economic development in those areas.

Earlier statements didn't provide a breakdown of the quota for border provinces.

The H1 quota has fallen for the second straight year. For H1 2010, the quota was 6.1 million mt. China imposes a 40% export duty on coke and has implemented policies to discourage coke production and export in a bid to contain pollution.

The 4.2 million mt quota is shared by 38 companies, compared with 40 in 2011.

Shanxi Coking Coal Group International Trade Co. was allocated the largest share of 334,626 mt, followed by Sinochem Group with 320,704 mt.

Sinosteel Group was allocated 266,693 mt and China National Minerals Co., known as Minmetals, 231,635 mt.