Taiwan’s yearly coal imports have achieved the highest total since 2010, the period up to which CoalMint has maintained the customs data for the country’s coal imports.
As per the data provided, Taiwan coal imports had totaled 69.55 MnT in 2017, surpassing the previous best of 68 MnT in 2013. Yearly coal imports in 2017 had increased 6% Y-o-Y from 65.83 MnT in 2016.
Monthly coal imports from the country had been falling towards the end of the CY17, and had slumped to the lowest total of 4.7 MnT in Nov’17. However, in Dec’17, imports had recovered to 5.31 MnT, thereby recording a growth of 13% M-o-M.
Grade-wise Coal Imports:
Bituminous coal imports having a share of more than 95% in Taiwan’s coal import, had increased 5% Y-o-Y to 66.88 MnT in CY17, compared with 63.97 MnT in CY16.
Met coke overtook Anthracite coal in order to become the second-largest imported coal grade in CY17. In fact, Taiwan had witnessed growth in coal imports of all the major grades during the year, except Anthracite, whose imports were down 18% Y-o-Y to 0.23 MnT in CY17.
| Grade | 2017 | 2016 | % Change |
| Bituminous Coal | 66.88 | 63.97 | 5% |
| Met Coke | 0.29 | 0.21 | 38% |
| Pet Coke | 0.23 | 0.12 | 92% |
| Anthracite | 0.23 | 0.28 | -18% |
| Others | 1.93 | 1.24 | 56% |
| Grand Total | 69.55 | 65.83 | 6% |
Source: Taiwan Customs
Quantity in MnT
Major Coal Exporters:
Australia remained the largest coal exporter to Taiwan despite recording a fall of 3% in coal supplies during the year. Australia had exported 32.9 MnT coal in 2017.
Indonesia, the second-largest coal exporter, had also witnessed a drop of 7% in coal exports to Taiwan. Whereas, coal supplies from the third-largest exporter, Russia, had increased 27% Y-o-Y to 8.95 MnT in CY17.
South Africa, Canada, US and Colombia were among the other major coal exporters in CY17; exports from the US and Colombia in particular, had noted substantial growth during the year.
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