Canada: Coal Exports Down 36% M-o-M in Oct’17

Volume of coal shipped from Canada have slumped to a eight-month low of 1.98 MnT in Oct’17, with weak exports to its three biggest destinations: Japan, South Korea and China, according to the data provided by Canadian customs.

As per the customs data, Canadian coal exports in Oct’17 fell 36% on the month from 3.08 MnT in Sep’17. Coal shipments were also 31% lower on the year than 2.87 MnT coal shipped during Oct’16.

Total coal exported during Jan’17-Oct’17 has recorded minor growth of 0.43% to 27.91 MnT, compared with 27.79 MnT in Jan’16-Oct’16.

Grade-wise Coal Exports:
Shipments of both Bituminous coal and Pet coke had fallen during the month, which were the only major coal grades exported in Oct’17.

While Bituminous coal exports dropped 39% M-o-M to 1.66 MnT in Oct’17, Pet coke exports were down 19% M-o-M to 0.29 MnT.

Source: Canadian Customs
Quantity in MnT

Major Coal Importers:
Japan, South Korea and Netherlands were the top 3 coal importers from Canada in Oct’17.

Japanese coal import fell 45% M-o-M to 0.38 MnT in Oct’17, which were also 24% lower on the year compared with 0.5 MnT coal received during Oct’16.

South Korea had also witnessed a decline in Oct’17 coal imports both on the monthly and yearly basis; the country received 0.28 MnT coal during the month.

Netherlands had imported 0.28 MnT coal in Oct’17. No coal shipments were recorded in Sep’17, however, on the yearly basis, Netherlands import rose 64% compared with 0.17 MnT in Oct’16.

China is the third-largest coal receiver from Canada in CY17; however the country has recorded their lowest monthly import for the year in Oct’17. Coal imports during the month stood 0.04 MnT, down 89% M-o-M from 0.35 MnT in Sep’17, as the country had reduced appetite for coal in order to curb pollution.

US, India, Taiwan and Poland were the other major coal importers during the month.

Source: Canadian Customs | Quantity in MnT