Russian coal exports have witnessed a hefty fall of 36% on the month to 15.57 MnT, following a decline in both coking and non-coking coal shipments during Apr’19. Export volumes were, however, up 12% Y-o-Y from 13.94 MnT in Apr’18.
Traditionally, April is not a strong month for coal demand as it falls between the winter and summer power demand peaks –accordingly seaborne volumes are expected to be low. Consequently, Russian coal intake from its major importers- China, Germany, Japan and Korea, had come down M-o-M in Apr’19.
Exports in the first 4 months of CY19 were marked 14% higher on the year at 69.94 MnT amid a growing Asian appetite for Russian coal.
Grade-wise Coal Exports:
Exports of non-coking coal decreased 40% M-o-M to 10.78 MnT in Apr’19, along with coking coal which had fell 47% on the month to 1.8 MnT.
Anthracite coal was the second-largest exported coal commodity, marked 3% higher m-o-m at 2.62 MnT in Apr’19.
| Grades | Apr’19 | Mar’19 | % Change |
| Non Coking Coal | 10.78 | 17.93 | -40% |
| Anthracite | 2.62 | 2.54 | 3% |
| Coking Coal | 1.8 | 3.38 | -47% |
| Met Coke | 0.31 | 0.24 | 29% |
| Pet Coke | 0.06 | 0.13 | -54% |
| Grand Total | 15.57 | 24.22 | -36% |
Source: Russian customs
Quantity in MnT
Major Coal importers:
China emerged as the largest receiver of Russian coal in Apr’19. Import by the country was noted at 2.54 MnT, down 12% M-o-M from 2.89 MnT in Mar’19, but up 74% Y-o-Y from 1.46 MnT in Apr’18.
Germany was the second largest receiver with import of 1.86 MnT coal in Apr’19. Imports had come down 39% on the month from 3.06 MnT in Apr’19. Apparently, Germany had increased its coal sourcing from Russia by 3-folds to 8.5 MnT during the first 4 months of CY19.
South Korea was the third-largest coal receiver with 1.58 MnT coal imports.
Among the major coal importers, only India had managed an appreciable growth in coal intake from Russia. Indian coal imports were marked 70% higher on the month at 0.97 MnT in Apr’19, also zooming 5-folds y-o-y from 0.19 MnT in Apr’18.
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