Coal imports by Japan have seen a marginal dip in Jan’20, which ended the successive rise recorded in the past 3 months.
Data provided by customs indicate that the country had imported 17.2 MnT in Jan’20 as against 17.98 MnT in Dec’19. However, the import volume was marked 2% higher on the year from 16.79 MnT in Jan’19.
The lower coal receipt could be attributed to the decline in non-coking coal shipments which came down 7% on the month to 11.07 MnT in Jan’20. Incidentally, the recede in non-coking imports was the only decline noted among the major coal commodities.
On the other hand, coking coal imports attained its highest total since Nov’18, with higher shipments registered from Australia and the US. Japanese intake of coking coal increased 3% M-o-M to 4.16 MnT in Jan’20 compared with 4.03 MnT in Dec’19.
Japan Grade-wise Coal Imports
| Grade | Jan’20 | Dec’19 | % Change |
| Non Coking Coal | 11.07 | 11.92 | -7% |
| Coking Coal | 4.16 | 4.03 | 3% |
| Pet Coke | 0.62 | 0.52 | 19% |
| Anthracite | 0.51 | 0.39 | 31% |
| Met Coke | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0% |
| Others | 0.82 | 1.09 | -25% |
| Total | 17.2 | 17.98 | -4% |
Source: Japanese customs |Quantity in MnT
After witnessing imports falling to a 7-year low during CY19, Japanese coal demand are likely to be supported by lower nuclear availability and the start-up of new coal-fired power plants, although steady growth in renewable generation and a weak outlook for power demand may counter any upside.
Major Coal Exporters:
Coal exports from the chief supplier-Australia, attained a 6-month high total of 10.42 MnT in Jan’20, which was marked 2% higher on the year from 10.25 MnT in Jan’19.
Exports from Indonesia dropped 13% on the month to 2.73 MnT in Jan’20, but had registered 24% growth Y-o-Y from 2.21 MnT in Jan’19.
US emerged as the third-largest coal supplier in Jan’20. The country’s export of 1.57 MnT coal increased 17% M-o-M from 1.34 MnT in Dec’19, which also posted an 8% rise Y-o-Y from 1.46 MnT in Jan’19.
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