Australia: Coal Exports Down 7% M-o-M in Jan’18

Australian coal exports have fallen 7% M-o-M in Jan’18, following weaker exports to its major coal consumers during the month.

Amongst the top 5 major receivers of Australian coal, coal exports to South Korea had recorded the only noticeable growth on the monthly basis; while export to the remaining countries was down in Jan’18.

As per the data provided by Australian customs, Coal export from the country was 31.53 MnT in Jan’18 against 33.95 MnT in Dec’17. However, exports were 5% higher on the year compared with 30.04 MnT in Jan’17.

Grade-wise Coal Exports:
Australian exports of Non-Coking coal decreased 9% M-o-M to 16.26 MnT in Jan’18, compared with 17.87 MnT in Dec’17. Coking coal exports had fell 5% M-o-M to 15.27 MnT in Jan’18.

Source: Australian Customs
Quantity in MnT

Major Coal Importers:
Japan remained the largest importer of Australian coal, with imports of 10.89 MnT coal in Jan’18. Japanese coal imports decreased 2% M-o-M compared with 11.09 MnT in Dec’17, but was 5% higher on the year compared with 10.4 MnT in Jan’17.

Chinese coal imports was down 25% on the month to 5.76 MnT in Jan’18 against 7.63 MnT in Dec’17. On the yearly basis, imports had increased 2% from 5.65 MnT in Jan’17.

South Korea, the third-largest coal importer in Jan’18, had witnessed growth in coal monthly imports. South Korean coal imports had increased 35% M-o-M to 4.24 MnT in Jan’18, which was also 15% higher on the year compared with 3.7 MnT in Jan’17.

India, Taipei, Netherlands, Malaysia and France were among the other major coal importers in Jan’18.

Source: Australian Customs