US coal exports have continued its remarkable growth in Apr’18. The country has marked its highest monthly export since Mar’13, as per the data provided by US Customs.
Coal export by the country stood 13.62 MnT in Apr’18, with an increase of 11% M-o-M from 12.27 MnT in Mar’18. Besides, export was also 35% higher on the year compared with 10.06 MnT in Apr’17.
Coal export from the country has increased on the monthly basis since the beginning of CY18, while exports during each of the first 4 months have also been higher than the corresponding exports on the year-on-year basis. Driven by strong seaborne coal prices, end-users are increasingly choosing to source Coking and Non-coking coal from the US.
Total coal export from the country had been marked 20% higher on the year at 48.86 MnT in Jan’18-Apr’18 period, compared with 40.79 MnT recorded during the same period in CY17.
Grade-wise Coal Exports:
Coking coal export had increased 18% M-o-M to 5.34 MnT in Apr’18. Monthly export of coking coal from the country has crossed the 5 MnT mark for the first time since Mar’15.
Export of non-coking coal had increased 14% on the month to Apr’18, to attain a multi high total of 3.99 MnT during the month.
However, Pet coke export had fell 5% M-o-M to 3.45 MnT in Apr’18. With a possible ban on pet coke usage on the cards, Indian buyers have increased their appetite for US non-coking coal.
| Grade | Apr’18 | Mar’18 | M-o-M |
| Coking Coal | 5.34 | 4.51 | 18% |
| Non Coking Coal | 3.99 | 3.5 | 14% |
| Pet Coke | 3.45 | 3.64 | -5% |
| Met Coke | 0.11 | 0.09 | 22% |
| Anthracite | 0.04 | 0.01 | 300% |
| Others | 0.68 | 0.53 | 28% |
| Grand Total | 13.62 | 12.27 | 11% |
Source: US Customs
Quantity in MnT
Major Coal Importers:
India remained the largest importer of US coal in Apr’18, despite recording a fall of 33% in monthly imports. Indian coal import totaled 1.74 MnT in Apr’18 against 2.59 MnT in Mar’18, but was still 33% higher on the year compared with 1.31 MnT in Apr’17.
Netherlands replaced Japan to become the second-largest coal importer in Apr’18. Coal import by Netherlands increased 63% M-o-M to 1.09 MnT, while Japanese import fell 11% on the month to 0.95 MnT in Apr’18.
Mexico, South Korea, Turkey, Brazil and China were among the other major coal importers during the month.
Source: US Customs | Quantity in MnT
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