South Africa: Coal Exports Up 45% M-o-M in Aug’17

Coal exports have rebounded after falling to its lowest monthly total for CY17 in Jul’17.

South African coal exports have increased 45% M-o-M to 7.12 MnT in Aug’17, according to the data provided by country’s customs. Export in Jul’17 was the lowest monthly total in CY17, recorded at 4.92 MnT.

Exports in Aug’17 were also 15% higher on the year compared with 6.21 MnT in Aug’16. While, the total coal exports during CY17 (till Aug’17) has increased 11% Y-o-Y to 52.49 MnT compared with 47.28 MnT coal exported during the same period in 2016.

Grade-wise Coal Exports:
Exports of Bituminous coal, having major share among the coal commodities, rose 44% M-o-M to 6.78 MnT in Aug’17. Anthracite coal imports also increased 23% M-o-M to 0.16 MnT.

South Africa had also exported small quantities of Met coke and pet coke during the month.

Source: South African Customs
Quantity in MnT

Major Coal Importers:
South African coal export to its key consumer India was the highest since May’17, increasing 83% M-o-M to 3.09 MnT in Aug’17. Exports were also 33% higher on the year compared with 2.32 MnT in Aug’16.

Moreover, India had received about 43% of the total coal exported by South Africa during the month. India had earlier reduced its coal imports in Jul’17 due to the monsoon season.

Pakistan continued to increase its coal import from South Africa. Monthly imports were recorded at 0.88 MnT in Aug’17, up 35% M-o-M compared with 0.65 MnT in Jul’17. While on the yearly basis, imports increased nearly three folds compared with 0.26 MnT in Aug’16.

European Countries, which prefer South African coal, have also raised their coal imports ahead of the winter season. Netherlands, the third largest coal importer during the month, recorded 53% increase in monthly coal imports to 0.58 MnT. Spain’s import rose 50% M-o-M to 0.42 MnT in Aug’17.

Mozambique, Turkey, Taiwan and Italy were the other major coal importers during the month.

Source: South African Customs | Quantity in MnT