South Korean coal imports have registered a 7-month high total in Apr’18, thriving on steady demand from the coal fired plants.
According to the data provided by South Korean customs, coal import had increased 9% M-o-M to 13.09 MnT in Apr’18 from 12.7 MnT in Mar’18. Imports were also 19% higher on the year compared with 11.69 MnT in Apr’17.
The country’s coal import have recovered after falling in Feb’18, by posting regular growth on the monthly basis during Mar’18-Apr’18; besides, import in the period was also higher on the year-on year basis.
During the first 4 months of the CY18 (Jan’18-Apr’18), South Korean coal imports have totaled 51.32 MnT, up 2% Y-o-Y compared with the imports of 50.08 MnT recorded during the corresponding period of CY17.
Grade-wise Coal Imports in Apr’18:
South Korean import of Non-coking coal, a fuel primarily used by power utilities, had increased 11% M-o-M to 9.84 MnT in Apr’18, compared with 8.83 MnT in Mar’18. Anthracite coal imports had noted a growth of 24% during the month.
On the other hand, Coking coal imports were down 8% on the month to 2.42 MnT in Apr’18. The country had also procured small volumes of Met coke and Pet coke in Apr’18.
| Grade | Apr’18 | Mar’18 | M-o-M |
| Non Coking Coal | 9.84 | 8.83 | 11% |
| Coking Coal | 2.42 | 2.63 | -8% |
| Anthracite | 0.73 | 0.59 | 24% |
| Met Coke | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0% |
| Pet Coke | 0.02 | 0.06 | -67% |
| Others | 0.85 | 0.57 | 49% |
| Grand Total | 13.9 | 12.7 | 9% |
Source: South Korean Customs
Quantity in MnT
Major Coal Exporters:
Indonesia replaced Australia to become the largest coal supplier to South Korea in Apr’18. Indonesian coal export rose 31% on the month to 3.6 MnT in Apr’18, which was also 17% higher on the year compared with 3.08 MnT in Apr’17.
Australian coal exports slipped 18% on the month to 3.47 MnT in Apr’18, which was also 7% lower on the year compared with 3.72 MnT in Apr’17. Coal export from Australia was affected in Mar’18 as a result of the Iris cyclone and scheduled maintenance at some of the export terminal.
Russia remained the third-largest coal supplier to South Korea, with exports of 3.02 MnT coal in Apr’18. Canada, South Africa, US and Colombia were the amongst the other major coal exporters during the month.
Source: South Korean Customs | Quantity in MnT
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