US Coal Exports Surge 32% Y-o-Y in H1 CY17

United States, the world’s fourth-largest coal exporter, has witnessed a surge of 32% in exports during the first half year period in 2017, in comparison with the same period in 2016.

According to US Custom data, the country has exported 61.22 MnT coal during Jan’17-Jun’17 period against 46.27 MnT coal during Jan’16-Jun’16.

In order to revive coal industry in the US, president Trump has wished to withdraw the country’s participation from Paris Climate agreement citing it will hurt American economical growth.

The country’s coal exports have been rising this year, also the higher coal prices caused by a drop in production in China and disruptions has given US coal miners’ opportunity to export more coal.

Coal exports have increased 17% Y-o-Y to 10.4 MnT in Jun’17, compared with 8.91 MnT in Jun’16. While on the monthly basis, exports during Jun’17 were up by 4% compared with 10.03 MnT in May’17.

Grade-wise Coal Exports:
Exports of Coking coal have topped among the various coal grades exported from the US, surpassing Pet coke exports by 2.45 MnT during H1 CY17.
Coking coal exports have increased 27% Y-o-Y during H1 CY17, while pet coke exports have increased 2% during the period.

Exports of all major coal grades have improved during H1 CY17, except for Anthracite coal, whose export has fallen 52% Y-o-Y to 0.12 MnT in HJan’17-Jun’17 period.

Source: US Customs
Quantity in MnT

Major Coal Importers:
India remained the top coal importer from the US during H1 CY17. However, Coal imports have declined 8% Y-o-Y to 7.35 MnT during Jan’17-Jun’17, compared with 7.97 MnT during Jan’16-Jun’17.

Japan overtook Netherland to become second-largest coal importer in H1 CY17; Japanese imports have increased 58% Y-o-Y to 5.37 MnT.

South Korea, the third-largest coal importer, has shown biggest improvement in coal imports during the half-year period. Imports have increased 152% Y-o-Y to 4.87 MnT during Jan’17-Jun’17, compared with 1.93 MnT during Jan’16-Jun’16 period.