South Korea: Coal Imports Up 6% M-o-M in Aug’17

South Korea’s total coal import in CY17 has also crossed the 100 MnT mark during the month.

South Korea, the world’s fourth-largest coal importer in CY16, has witnessed growth in monthly coal imports during Aug’17. Coal imports have rose to 7 month-high value of 13.68 MnT in Aug’17, according to the data provided by Korean customs.

Coal Imports has increased 6% M-o-M and 16% Y-o-Y in Aug’17, in comparison with the imports of 12.72 MnT in Jul’17 and 11.6 MnT in Aug’16 respectively.

South Korea’s total yearly import in CY17 has crossed the 100 MnT mark during the month. Total imports during Jan’17-Aug’17 period was recorded at 100.34 MnT, with an increase of 10% compared with 91.27 MnT coal imported during Jan’16-Aug’16 period.

Grade-wise Coal Imports:
Import of non-coking coal having a share of about 70% in the country’s total coal imports, has increased 10% M-o-M to 9.67 MnT in Aug’17 compared with 8.83 MnT in Jul’17. Import of Pet Coke has also increased during the month.

While import of Met Coke remained unchanged at 0.03 MnT, imports of Coking coal and Anthracite have fallen by 15% and 36% respectively on the monthly basis in Aug’17.

Source: South Korean Customs
Quantity in MnT

Major Coal Exporters:
Australia remained the top coal exporter to South Korea in Aug’17. Australian coal exports were recorded at 4.4 MnT during the month, down by 16% M-o-M compared with 5.23 MnT in Jul’17. However, exports in Aug’17 remained stronger on the year compared with 4.1 MnT in Aug’16.

Indonesia, the second-largest coal exporter, witnessed growth in exports by 30% M-o-M to 3.73 MnT in Aug’17. However, exports were 4% lower on the year compared with 3.9 MnT coal quantity exported in Aug’16.

Russia was the third-largest coal exporter in Aug’17. The country has recorded growth in coal exports to Korea both on the monthly and yearly basis.

Canada, USA, South Africa and Colombia were the other major coal exporters during the month.

Source: South Korean Customs