South Korea is the fourth largest importer of coal globally, accounting for over 10% of the total thermal coal import demand. However, Monthly Coal imports have been falling continuously since Dec’16, according to the data provided by Korean customs.
South Korean coal imports in Apr’17 have decreased by 4% M-o-M to 11.69 MnT, compared with 12.22 MnT in Mar’17.
Imports in Apr’17 have however shown improvement on the yearly basis, as imports increased by 1% Y-o-Y compared with 11.61 MnT in Apr’16.
Coal Imports in 2017:
Despite falling on the monthly basis, South Korean coal imports have improved in CY17.
During the first months of CY17 (Jan’17-Apr’17) the country has imported 50.08 MnT coal against 46.78 MnT imported during the corresponding months of the previous year, thus recording a growth of 7% Y-o-Y.
Grade-wise Coal Imports:
South Korea mainly imports Non-coking coal, followed by Coking coal, Anthracite, Pet Coke and Met coke.
During Apr’17, imports of Coking coal rose by 1% M-o-M to 1.91 MnT. While all other major coal grades’ import has fallen over the month.
| Grade | Apr’17 | Mar’17 | %Change |
| Non-Coking | 8.57 | 9.12 | -6% |
| Coking | 1.91 | 1.88 | 1% |
| Anthracite | 0.56 | 0.71 | -22% |
| Pet coke | 0.05 | 0.10 | -50% |
| Met Coke | 0.027 | 0.030 | -9% |
| Others | 0.58 | 0.37 | 55% |
| Total | 11.69 | 12.22 | -4% |
Source: Korean Customs
Quantities in MnT
Major Coal Exporting Countries:
Australia remained major coal supplier to South Korea in Apr’17. However, due to supply disruption caused by Debbie cyclone, Coal export from Australia decreased by 5% M-o-M to 3.72 MnT.
Indonesia, second-largest coal exporter, also witness fall in their monthly coal shipments to South Korea. Exports from Indonesia fell by 18% M-o-M to 3.08 MnT. However, exports have increased by 7% Y-o-Y compared with 2.88 MnT in Apr’16.
Russia and USA recorded significant growth in monthly coal supplies to Korea. With exports increasing from Russia by 58% M-o-M and that from the USA by 40% M-o-M in Apr’17.
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