South Africa’s Coal Export 27% Higher in Aug’16

South African monthly coal export rise by 17% in Aug’16 compared with last month, also monthly coal export up by 6% Y-o-Y.

South Africa, one of the largest thermal coal exporters in the globe shipped about 6.2 MnT of coal to the different destinations in Aug’16. The monthly coal export up by 27% compared to Jul’16 and also record a significant growth by 6% compared to Aug’15.

Grade-wise Coal export in Aug’16
Out of the total exported quantity, more than 90% Bituminous coal shipped by the country every month and rest includes Anthracite, coke and other grades.

Quantity in MnT

South African coal shipments have been fallen since couple of months owing to constant rise in FoB offers, which recorded highest in Oct’16 since May’14. While persisting weather issues in the country also hampering coal shipments in 2016. Current offers for 6000 NAR thermal coal are reached at USD 80/MT, FoB for Oct’16 shipments.

However, India’s slowing demand have a strong impact on South African coal trade. Constantly rising South African index deterring global buyer’s interest.

South African Coal Export in 2016
In the first eight month of the year, the country has exported 47.2 MnT coal with a significant fall by 7% which was at 50.7 MnT in the same consecutive period last year.

Country-wise coal export in Aug’16
India is one of the largest buyers of South African thermal coal as the country’s whole sponge industry is largely dependent on South African coal. Out of the total exports of the year the country had shipped about 60% of coal to India. India imported the largest coal quantity, followed by Italy and Netherland as the 2nd and third largest importers in Aug’16.

India, largest consumer of South African grades took about 2.3 MnT coal in Aug’16, down by 2% compared to last month. While yearly imports have also fallen by 2% which was at 2.4 MnT in Aug’15.

Netherland, the second-largest coal importer during the month, imported around 0.67 MnT coal in Aug’16 with a significant growth which is more than 100%, compared to 0.32 MnT in Jul’16. The nation’s yearly imports recorded a notable growth by more than 200% which was 0.17 MnT in Aug’15.

Pakistan emerges as the third-largest importer of South African coal in Aug’16, imported around 0.26 MnT coal during the month, recorded a significantly decline by 17% in shipments as country’s imports was 0.31 MnT in Jul’16. While imports down by 61% on yearly basis, compared with Aug’15.