Turkey: Coal Imports Down 15% M-o-M in Apr’19

Turkish coal imports have fallen to its lowest monthly total during April for the CY19. Data provided by customs indicate that the country has imported 2.81 MnT coal in Apr’19 to mark 15% drop on the month from 3.31 MnT in Mar’19.

Import volumes were also 2% lower on the year from 2.86 MnT in Apr’18.

Media reports have claimed that Turkish coal imports are likely to fall as much as 8% this year amid an increased renewables contribution to the country’s power mix. Besides, Turkish government is seeking to support its power sector with an increased domestic coal supply.

In line, Turkey’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources has envisaged to offer 500 coal mines across the country to potential investors in public tenders, which will boost domestic coal availability and minimize imports.

During the first 4 months of CY19 (Jan’19-Apr’19), Turkey’s coal import totaled 12.68 MnT, down 6% Y-o-Y from 13.47 MnT recorded from the corresponding period’s total in CY18.

Grade-wise Coal Imports:
Imports of all the coal commodities had fell on the month except-non-coking coal, which had seen slight uptick during Apr’19.

Non-coking coal shipments were marked at 2.21 MnT in Apr’19 against 2.2 MnT in Mar’19.

Pet coke was the second-largest commodity in the month noted at 0.29 MnT, followed by Coking coal shipments which were marked at 0.24 MnT in Apr’19.

Source: Turkish customs
Quantity in MnT

Major Coal Exporters:
Colombia remained the largest coal supplier to in Apr’19. Country’s exports to Turkey were marked almost unchanged on the month at 1.32 MnT in Apr’19, which was also 6% higher on the year from 1.25 MnT in Apr’18.

Russia and US had witnessed hefty fall in coal supplies to Turkey during Apr’19.

Russian exports were down 13% M-o-M to 0.83 MnT in Apr’19, also falling 5% on the year from 0.87 MnT in Apr’18. While US coal exports had fell 22% on the monthly and yearly basis to 0.29 MnT in Apr’19.