South African coal exports have hit a 6-month low total during Jul’19, driven by seasonal slowdown witnessed across its major customers.
Data provided by South African customs indicate that exports by the country had fell 26% on the month to 5.14 MnT against 6.9 MnT in Jun’19. Imports were recorded almost identical y-o-y from 5.13 MnT seen during Jul’18.
Indian coal demand eased with the monsoon season, wherein heavy rainfall slowed construction and industrial activity.
Consequently, after raking-up ample coal volume post monsoon, coal intake by Indian buyers from South Africa decreased 10% M-o-M to 3.4 MnT in Jul’19 against 3.78 MnT in Jun’19. Still, coal volumes were noted 18% higher on the year from 2.87 MnT in Jul’18.
Pakistan’s coal imports from South Africa hit its lowest total for CY19, marked at 0.64 MnT in Jul’19. Coal volume had reduced to half m-o-m from 1.29 MnT in Jun’19, but was 3% higher on the year from 0.62 MnT in Jul’18.
Vietnam remained the third-largest coal importer from South Africa, but had seen its monthly receipt falling 45% to 0.22 MnT in Jul’19 against 0.4 MnT in Jun’19.
Various measures implemented by South Korea to reduce its reliance on coal power, has drastically lowered the country’s coal sourcing from South Africa. Over the course of first 7 months of CY19 (Jan-Jul’19), Korean coal imports have reduced 64% Y-o-Y to 1.83 MnT compared with 5.13 MnT noted in the year-ago period.
During the month of Jul’19, Korean imports had fell 58% M-o-M to 0.16 MnT, which was also 62% lower on the year from 0.42 MnT in Jul’18.
South African coal exports during Jan-Jul’19 has remain almost unchanged at 45.07 MnT compared with 45.14 MnT recorded in Jan-Jul’18 period.
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