US coal exports have dropped 16% Y-o-Y to 122.56 MnT in CY19 compared with 145.87 MnT in CY18, data provided by US customs showed. The sharp fall in export volume was in line with the lower coal prices.
The US coal sector was impacted by a number of bankruptcies, as lower prices had eliminated profit margins; besides, increased coal-to-gas switching had eventually reduced coal’s share as a source of power generation in the country.
In addition, relatively high costs and freight rates to Asian markets coupled with strong currency compared with Australia, also affects country’s exports of its largest traded commodity-Coking coal.
A grade-wise break up indicate that US non-coking coal exports was down 33% Y-o-Y to 28.05 MnT in CY19 compared with 41.89 MnT in CY18.
US coking coal exports, the largest traded coal commodity in CY19, decreased 10% Y-o-Y to 50 MnT, amid weak demand from China, Europe and Brazil as the pertaining mills reduced their raw material requirements.
Exports of pet coke from the country fell 6% Y-o-Y to 37.47 MnT in CY19. Anthracite coal shipments noted the only rise in the period under review, which had increased 26% Y-o-Y to 0.29 MnT in CY19.
| Grade | CY19 | CY18 | % Change |
| Coking Coal | 50 | 55.8 | -10% |
| Pet Coke | 37.47 | 39.95 | -6% |
| Non Coking Coal | 28.05 | 41.89 | -33% |
| Met Coke | 0.88 | 1.04 | -15% |
| Anthracite | 0.29 | 0.23 | 26% |
| Others | 5.87 | 6.95 | -16% |
| Total | 122.56 | 145.87 | -16% |
Source: US Customs
Quantity in MnT
Major Coal Importers:
India remained the largest buyer of US coal in CY19, however the country has registered its first Y-o-Y decline in intake since CY12. Indian coal imports decreased 7% Y-o-Y to 17.64 MnT in CY19.
Lower exports to Europe, India and South Korea have more than offset the impact of a modest rise in export to Japan, which grew 7% Y-o-Y to 14.2 MnT in CY19.
Netherlands was the third-largest importer in CY19 with intake of 9.8 MnT coal during the year.
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