Russia: Coal Exports Up 12% M-o-M in Nov’19

Russian coal exports have rebounded after falling in the previous month, to record a growth of 12% M-o-M during Nov’19.

The country had witnessed an improved demand from key Asian buyers, however, weak appetite for coal-amid a preference for low-cost gas as a generation fuel, eroded the demand from Europe.

Data provided by Russian customs indicate that the country’s coal exports had increased to 18.22 MnT in Nov’19 as against 16.29 MnT in Oct’19. Incidentally, coal volumes registered its largest Y-o-Y fall for CY19 during the month, as it decreased 9% on the year from 20.08 MnT in Nov’18.

Developments made in rail and port infrastructure and the persistently weak Ruble have supported the growth in Russia’s coal exports this year, which have increased nearly 4% Y-o-Y to 192.95 MnT during the first 11 months of CY19 (Jan-Nov’19) as against 184.72 MnT noted in the year-ago period.

Grade-wise Coal Exports:
Russian exports of non-coking coal saw an uptick of 11% M-o-M to 14.29 MnT in Nov’19 compared with 12.91 MnT in Oct’19.

Exports of coking coal increased 13% on the month to 2.13 MnT, along with a rise in Anthracite coal shipments during Nov’19.

Meanwhile, export of coke products had recorded a decline on monthly basis, with off-take of Met Coke and Pet coke marked at 0.22 MnT and 0.11 MnT respectively in Nov’19.

Source: Russian customs | Quantity in MnT

Major Coal Importers:
South Korea emerged as the largest coal receiver from Russia in Nov’19. The country had brought 23.32 MnT coal in Nov’19, up 15% M-o-M as against 2.02 MnT in Oct’19.

Notably, the import volumes had attained a 9-month high total during Nov’19, but were still marked 9% lower on the year from 2.54 MnT in Nov’18.

Chinese coal imports dropped 5% M-o-M to 2.26 MnT in Nov’19 compared with 2.39 MnT in Oct’19. Japan was the third-largest receiver with imports of 1.88 MnT coal during the month.