Colombian Coal Export Drops 12% Y-o-Y in Q3 CY19

Colombian coal exports have decreased 12% on the year to 18.07 MnT during the third quarter of CY19 (Jul-Sep’19). Coal volume was also down 15% Q-o-Q noted from 21.32 MnT in Q2 CY19 period.

Colombian coal has been affected by diminishing demand from its traditional export markets- Europe and America, besides the country’s sales of thermal coal are not as competitive in Asian markets.

Meanwhile, a reduced coal intake from its chief customer-Turkey had also attributed to the lower export volumes seen in CY19.

Data provided by Colombian customs indicate that coal exports from the country has fallen 15% Y-o-Y to 57.08 MnT (Jan-Sep’19), compared with 66.84 MnT noted in the year-ago period. Apparently, Turkey’s coal sourcing from Colombia was down 20% Y-o-Y to 12.17 MnT in the 9 month period.

Grade-wise Coal Exports:
Colombian non-coking coal exports recede 13% on the year to 16.41 MnT in Q3 CY19 as against 18.79 MnT in Q3 CY18.

On the other hand, the country had witnessed a growth in coking coal sales, which had increased 10% Y-o-Y to 0.54 MnT in Q3 CY19.

Met coke was the second-largest traded commodity in the quarter with exports of 0.85 MnT.

Source: Colombian customs
Quantity in MnT

Major Coal Importers:
Turkey remained the largest coal importer from Colombia in Q3 CY19. However, coal intake by the country was down 41% Q-o-Q from 5.21 MnT in Q2 CY19, which was also 36% lower on the year from 4.76 MnT in Q3 CY18.

Chile and Israel had raised their coal sourcing from Colombia in Q3 CY19. Notably, coal import by Chile was up 14% on the quarter and 55% over the same period last year to 2.3 MnT in the quarter period. Coal intake by Israel had surged 91% over the quarter to 1.81 MnT.

Whilst, coal volume taken by the neighboring American countries-Brazil and Mexico, had remain subdued in the third quarter period.