South Africa: Coal Exports Up 9% Y-o-Y in CY17

South Africa has surpassed its coal export total of 76.87 MnT recorded in CY16, aided by strong demand from the Asian countries. As per the data provided by South African customs, the country had exported 83.60 MnT coal in CY17, which was 9% higher than the exports of the previous year.

South African coal had seen increased shipments to the Asian countries- particularly to that  in India, Pakistan and South Korea.

Although coal intake from India was slightly lower on the yearly basis, demand from the country was particularly high during the second half of the year. Even in Dec’17, buoyed by Indian demand, South African coal exports had increased 5% M-o-M to 7.99 MnT, which were also 11% higher on the year compared with 7.18 MnT in Dec’16.

Moreover, Nuclear power outage in South Korea and demand arising from newly commissioned power plants in Pakistan under had also contributed to the growth in South African coal exports.

With demand for coal diminishing in European countries, Asian continent has emerged as the major export destination for South African coal.

Grade-wise Coal Exports:
Bituminous coal, having a share of more than 90% in country’s total exports, witnesses an increase of 10% in yearly exports. Bituminous coal exports were recorded at 80.53 MnT in CY17 compared with 72.93 MnT in CY16.

Anthracite coal exports had increased 24% Y-o-Y to 1.59 MnT in CY17. Met coke exports were also up during the year, while Pet coke shipments had fell 13% Y-o-Y to 0.07 MnT in CY17.

Source: South African Customs | Quantity in MnT

Major Coal Importers:
India accounted for the highest coal imports from South Africa in CY17. However, the country’s imports were slightly lower on the year. Indian coal import had fallen 3% Y-o-Y to 36.49 MnT in CY17, compared with 37.56 MnT in CY16.

Moreover, India was the only country amongst the top-7 coal importers, which has witnessed fall in yearly coal tonnage. However, coal demand from the country had seen strong growth during the second half of the year, when domestic coal availability for the Non-power sector was affected.

Indian coal imports from South Africa stood 17.63 MnT during the first six months of the CY17 (Jan’17-Jun’17), which had increased 7% to 18.85 MnT during the next six month period of Jul’17-Dec’17.

Pakistan, the second-largest coal importer, had received 8.62 MnT coal in CY17, up 75% Y-o-Y from 4.92 MnT in CY16. South Korea came behind at third, with total coal imports of 8.33 MnT in CY17, rising 204% Y-o-Y from 2.74 MnT in CY16.

Source: South African customs