Russia: Coal Exports Up 30% M-o-M in Aug’19

Russian coal exports have rebounded after falling in Jul’19, to post 30% growth on the month during Aug’19.

Data provided by Russian customs indicate that exports by the country was reported at 18.45 MnT in Aug’19 as against 14.18 MnT in Jul’19, however, coal volumes were marked 2% lower on the year from 18.75 MnT in Aug’18.

An uptick in demand seen from Asian buyers had helped Russia attain a noticeable growth on the month, supported by healthy coal intake from China, South Korea and Japan.

Incidentally, Russian coal exports have totaled 139.01 MnT during the first 8 months of CY19 (Jan-Aug’19), up 7% compared to the same period in 2018, amid infrastructure upgrades and a healthy global appetite.

Grade-wise Coal Exports:
Russian non-coking coal exports were marked 37% higher on the month at 13.33 MnT in Aug’19 compared with 9.73 MnT in Jul’19.

The growth rate in exports was also supported by a hefty rise in coking coal supplies which had attained a 5-month high total during Aug’19. Apparently, coking coal exports had increased 46% M-o-M to 2.68 MnT in Aug’19.

Anthracite was the third-largest traded coal grade in the month, whose exports stood 2.07 MnT in Aug’19.

Source: Russian customs
Quantity in MnT

Major Coal Importers:
China remained the largest coal importer in Aug’19. Chinese coal imports increased 8% M-o-M to 2.71 MnT from 2.5 MnT in Jul’19, which was also 30% higher on the year from 2.09 MnT in Aug’18.

South Korea emerged as the second-largest coal receiver in the month, with receipt of 2.14 MnT in Aug’19. Coal imports by the country surged 70% M-o-M from 1.26 MnT in Jul’19, but were marked 9% lower on the year from 2.36 MnT in Aug’18.

Japan slipped to the third-place in terms of major coal importers during Aug’19, despite attaining its highest monthly coal receipt for CY19. Japanese imports were noted 25% higher on the month at 1.89 MnT in Aug’19.