South Africa: Coal Exports Up 12% Y-o-Y in H1 CY17

South Africa, world’s sixth largest coal exporter, has witnessed a growth in exports during the first half of 2017.

Despite the fall in demand from India, its major coal consumer, South African coal exports in CY17 has been supported by the surge in exports to Pakistan, South Korea and Taiwan.

South Africa has registered 40.45 MnT coal exports during Jan’17-Jun’17 period, which was 12% higher than 36.16 MnT coal exported during Jan’16-Jun’16 period, according to the customs data.

Monthly coal exports in Jun’17 was down by 6% M-o-M to 7.08 MnT, compared with 7.52 MnT in May’17. However, on the yearly basis, Jun’17 export was 33% higher that the export volume of 5.33 MnT attained during Jun’16.

Grade-wise coal Export:
Export of Bituminous coal was 39 MnT during H1 CY17 against 35.09 MnT in Jan’16-Jun’16 period, thus recording an increase of 11% Y-o-Y.

Anthracite coal export increased 28% Y-o-Y to 0.69 MnT during Jan’17-Jun’17 period.

Source: South African Customs
Quantity in MnT

Major Coal Importers:
India was the major  importer of South African coal during Jan’17-Jun’17 period, followed by Pakistan, South Korea, Taiwan and Spain. Among the top 5 major coal importers in CY17, only Indian coal import has fallen on the yearly basis.

Coal imports from India has decreased 18% Y-o-Y to 17.63 MnT during H1 CY17, indicating a fall in demand for imported coal in the country.

Pakistan, second-largest coal importer, registered a growth of 74% in coal imports over the half year period.

Moreover, Coal imports from South Korea, Taiwan and Spain have significantly improved in CY17.