Russian Coal Exports Up 64% M-o-M in Feb’19

Russian coal exports have rebounded after falling in Jan’19, to record 64% growth during Feb’19.

Data from customs shows that Russia exported 18.75 MnT coal in Feb’19 against 11.4 MnT in Jan’19. Exports were also 23% higher on the year from 15.26 MnT in Feb’18.

Russian coal has witnessed a rise in market share from Asia, where Japanese utilities are diversifying their sources of supply and South Korean new regulations are increasing demand for Russian low sulphur coal.

Notably, both these country have seen their coal intake rising during the first two months of CY19.

Besides, the growth in Russian coal export has been aided by infrastructure developments at eastern port-which exports coal to Asia.

Grade-wise Coal Exports:

Russian non-coking coal exports jumped 62% M-o-M to 13.11 MnT in Feb’19, along with shipments of Coking and Anthracite coal.

Exports of Coking and Anthracite coal were marked at 2.33 MnT and 2.9 MnT in Feb’19, rising 118% and 59% on the month respectively.

Among export of coke, Russian met coke exports climbed 8% on the month to 0.28 MnT in Feb’19. While Pet coke exports were down 33% M-o-M.

Source: Russian customs
Quantity in MnT

Major Coal Importers:
South Korea remained the largest coal receiver from Russia. The country had taken 2.44 MnT coal in Feb’19, up 59% M-o-M from 1.53 MnT in Jan’19, also rising 85% on the year from 1.32 Mnt in Feb’18.

Germany was the second-largest importer, with intake of 2.34 MnT coal in Feb’19.

China, the third-largest coal importer, had taken 1.55 MnT coal in Feb’19. Monthly Intake increased 41% M-o-M but was 21% lower on the year from 1.95 MnT in Feb’18.

Japan (1.27 MnT), Ukraine (1.25 MnT), Netherlands (1.2 MnT), Poland (1.11 MnT) and Turkey (0.77 MnT), were the other major coal importers. Notably, all the major coal receivers had recorded m-o-m growth in Feb’19.