Canadian coal exports have dropped 35% on the month, following a hefty decline in coal intake from Japan during Apr’19.
Data provided by customs indicate that Canadian export was marked 2.53 MnT in Apr’19 compared with 3.91 MnT in Mar’19, but were 7% higher on the year from 2.36 MnT in Apr’18.
Besides, there were no shipments to key European destinations, partly reflecting multiple headwinds facing Europe’s steel industry.
A grade-wise break-up shows that imports of bituminous chiefly comprising of Coking coal was down 40% M-o-M to 2.12 MnT in Apr’19, in the absence of shipments from Canada to Netherlands, Poland, UK and Germany.
It is to be noted that Canada does not necessarily export to these destinations every month, as European mills cover a significant amount of their requirements with US and Australian coking coal supplies.
However, strong demand in Asia-Pacific, led by, India and South Korea, had supported Canadian export volumes during the month.
Major Coal Importers:
India emerged as the largest coal receiver from Canada in Apr’19. Indian coal import increased 11% M-o-M to 0.71 MnT in Apr’19 compared with 0.64 MnT in Mar’19, which was also 82% higher on the year from 0.39 MnT in Apr’18.
China was the second-largest receiver with imports of 0.55 MnT coal in Apr’19. Import volumes had fell 7% M-o-M from 0.59 MnT in Mar’19, but had noted 2-fold increase on the year from 0.26 MnT in Apr’18.
South Korean coal imports were up 17% M-o-M to 0.42 MnT in Apr’19. At the same time, imports by Japan had suffered a downfall of 75% during the month, noted at 0.24 MnT.
During the first 4 months of CY19, Canadian coal exports have totaled 11.15 MnT, up 9% Y-o-Y from 10.26 MnT recorded in same period of previous year.
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