Monthly coal exports have been on the rise since the beginning of the year amid higher production and stable domestic consumption.
Russia is the third-largest coal exporter in the world after China and Indonesia. Coal exports which have been increasing since Jan’17 recorded significant growth by 58% M-o-M to 20.21 MnT in Mar’17. About 12.82 MnT coal was exported by the country in Feb’17.
Exports have also increased by 11% Y-o-Y compared with 18.16 MnT in Mar’16, as per the data released by Russian customs.
Coal Production in 2017:
Russian Government is expecting to increase coal output and exports by 3% this year.
Coal production has risen for the past three years and is expected to increase by 3.1% to 397.7 MnT in 2017. The country had produced 385.7 MnT coal in 2016, of which about 170 MnT coal were exported.
Coal exports as a result of higher production and stable domestic consumption, are expected to rise by 2.7-3.3% to 176-177 MnT in 2017.
During the first quarter of 2017 (Jan’17-Mar’17), Russia has exported 42.89 MnT against 40.37 MnT exported during the corresponding period of the previous year, thus recording a growth by 6% Y-o-Y.
Grade-wise Exports:
Russia majorly exports Bituminous coal, which accounts for more than 75% of the total monthly exports. Coking coal, Coke, Anthracite and Pet coke are the other coal commodities that are exported by the country.
During Mar’17, exports of Coke fell by 19% M-o-M to 0.32 MnT, while exports of remaining coal grades improved on the monthly basis.
| Grade | Mar’17 | Feb’17 | %Change |
| Bituminous | 15.46 | 9.32 | 66% |
| Coking Coal | 2.64 | 1.97 | 34% |
| Coke | 0.32 | 0.39 | -19% |
| Anthracite | 0.54 | 0.22 | 148% |
| Pet Coke | 0.12 | 0.06 | 100% |
| Others | 1.13 | 0.85 | 33% |
| Total | 20.21 | 12.82 | 58% |
Source: Russian Customs
Quantities in MnT
Major Importing Countries:
South Korea remained the major coal importer from Russia followed by China, UK, Japan and Ukraine.
South Korea received 2.82 MnT coal in Mar’17 recording a growth of 35% M-o-M.
China is the second-largest coal importer in Mar’17. China has increased coal imports from the USA, Canada and Russia, as the country is exploring other markets to meet its coal requirement after imposing a ban on coal imports from North Korea.
China’s monthly coal imports from Russia increased by 47% M-o-M to 2.30 MnT in Mar’17.
Leave a Reply