Russian Coal Exports Hit 6-Year High in CY18

Russia has recorded its highest coal exports in the past 6-years during CY18. As per customs data, the country has exported 203.69 MnT coal in CY18, up 11% Y-o-Y from 184.2 MnT in CY17.

Coal exports by the country have been progressively increasing since CY13, as it continue to seek domination on the European coal market.

Exports have been boosted by growing sales to the Asian market, wherein South Korea, Japan and China being the major coal customers, have recorded growth in coal receipt y-o-y in CY18.

Media reports have informed that Russia is planning to invest around USD 22.4 Billion (1.5 Trillion Russian Rubles) in its coal industry and port infrastructure, which will further support its export volume.

Grade-wise Coal Exports:
A grade-wise break-up of exports indicates that Non-coking coal had accounted more than 70% of the total volume. Exports of which had increased 6% Y-o-Y to 147.42 MnT in CY18.

Coking coal exports grew 17% Y-o-Y to 26.41 MnT in CY18. While Anthracite coal imports were up 36% Y-o-Y to 25.02 MnT. Both coking and Anthracite coal exports had also gained slight increase in share during the year.

The only noticeable decline in exports was seen in Met Coke consignments which had fell 3% on the year to 2.57 MnT in CY18.

Source: Russian customs
Quantity in MnT

Major Coal Importers:
South Korea, China and Japan remained the major coal receivers in CY18, but had witnessed subtle rise in imports during the year.

South Korean coal import from Russia increased 7% Y-o-Y to 25.65 MnT, Chinese imports were up 1% Y-o-Y to 22.94 MnT. Import by Japan grew 5% on the year to 18.13 MnT.

While Russia’s other major coal receivers of the likes of Ukraine, Germany and Poland, had all recorded double digit growth y-o-y in CY18.