Japan: Coal Imports Remain Almost Unchanged in Jul’17

Japanese coal imports have remained almost constant on the monthly basis in Jul’17. The country’s imports were recorded at 17.17 MnT during Jul’17, with a marginal drop of 0.54 MnT from 17.71 MnT in Jun’17.

On the yearly basis, Coal imports in Jul’17 were 2% higher than the import volume of 16.84 MnT attained during Jul’16, according to the customs data.

Japan was the third-largest Coal importer in 2016 behind China and India. During the first 7 months of CY17 (Jan’17-Jul’17), Japan coal imports have increased 2%Y-o-Y to 114.52 MnT, in comparison with 112.35 MnT during Jan’16-Jul’16.

Grade-wise Coal Imports:
Imports of both the essential grades of coal (Non-coking and Coking coal) have fallen during the month. While Non-coking coal imports have fell 3% M-o-M to 11.43 MnT, imports of Coking coal dropped by 13% M-o-M to 3.41 MnT in Jul’17.

Of all the major coal grades, only import of pet coke has increased 19% M-o-M to 0.43 MnT during the month.

Source: Japanese Customs
Quantity in MnT

Major Coal Exporters:
Australia was the major coal exporter to Japan in Jul’17, followed by Indonesia, Russia, United States and Canada.

Australia has exported 9.8 MnT coal during Jul’17, down by 13% M-o-M compared with 11.21 MnT coal in Jun’17. Exports in Jul’17 also decreased 7% Y-o-Y compared with 10.55 MnT in Jul’16.

Indonesia, the second-largest coal exporter during the month, has witnessed significant improvement in coal supplies. Exports have increased 53% M-o-M to 3.3 MnT in Jul’17. Moreover, Export in Jul’17 was 36% higher than the export level achieved during Jul’16.

Russia was the third-largest coal exporter during the month. The country recorded growth in exports, both on the monthly and yearly basis to 1.81 MnT during Jul’17.