Japan, second-largest coal importer in the world, witnessed a fall of 16% in their monthly coal imports. The country imported 14.24 MnT coal in Apr’17 against 17.05 MnT imported during Mar’17.
Drop in monthly coal imports could be attributed to lower thermal coal imports by Japan as milder temperature across the country and restart of nuclear reactors weighted on thermal power generation.
In spite of falling on the monthly basis, Imports in Apr’17 increased by 5% Y-o-Y compared with 13.52 MnT in Apr’16, as per the data provided by Japanese Customs.
Coal Imports in 2017:
Japan’s Coal import volume in the first 4 months of 2017(Jan’17-Apr’17) remained almost same as the quantity imported during Jan’16-Apr’16.
The country has imported 64.63 MnT coal during Jan-Apr’17 with a marginal increment of 0.17% Y-o-Y compared with 64.52 MnT imported during the corresponding months of previous year.
Grade-wise Coal Imports:
Japan mainly imports Bituminous coal and Coking coal along with small quantities of Anthracite, Pet coke and other grades of coal.
However, restarting of nuclear reactors reduced demand for thermal power generation as a result imports of Bituminous coal has fallen by 13% M-o-M to 9.51 MnT in Apr’17.
Of all the major coal commodities, imports of Coke and pet coke imports have increased in Apr’17 while all other commodities’ import has fallen over the month.
| Grade | Apr’17 | Mar’17 | %Change |
| Bituminous | 9.51 | 10.92 | -13.0% |
| Coking | 3.22 | 3.56 | -10% |
| Coke and semi-coke | 0.13 | 0.06 | 120% |
| Anthracite | 0.50 | 0.76 | -34% |
| Petroleum coke | 0.39 | 0.35 | 11% |
| Others | 0.49 | 1.40 | -65% |
| Grand Total | 14.24 | 17.05 | -16% |
Source: Japanese Customs
Quantity in MnT
Major Exporting Countries:
Australia remained the major coal exporter to Japan in Apr’17. However, coal shipments from Australia decreased by 15% M-o-M to 8.37 MnT.
The large decline was supported by disruption of supplies caused by Debbie cyclone which had hit the coastal Queensland region in late Mar’17.
Indonesia is the second largest coal supplier in Apr’17, however, coal exports from Indonesia dropped 25% M-o-M to 2.21 MnT in Apr’17. Also, exports in Apr’17 were lower by 12% Y-o-Y compared with 2.53 MnT in Apr’16.
Russia, third-largest coal exporter, supplied 1.35 MnT coal in Apr’17. Coal exports to Japan fell by 13% M-o-M while recording an increase of 42% Y-o-Y compared with 0.94 MnT in Apr’16.
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