Covid in China’s Coal Hubs Crimps Supply as Winter Demand Looms
- Cities of Datong and Ordos suffer flare-ups, lockdowns
- Beijing plans more pork sales from reserves to cool prices
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China’s two biggest coal-producing regions have been hit by virus flare-ups and lockdowns that are disrupting supplies and boosting prices for the country’s mainstay fuel as demand picks up heading into winter.
In Datong, Shanxi province, a key rail route hauling coal eastwards saw volumes shrink as much as 30% because of crew shortages, the China Coal Transportation and Distribution Association reported. Some parts of Datong were locked down Oct. 11, and dozens of rail workers on the line to Qinhuangdao were among more than 100 new virus cases reported on Oct. 17.