South African coal exports have fallen to a 7-month low of 6.35 MnT in Feb’18, down 3% on the month from 6.57 MnT in Jan’18. Exports had also decreased 7% Y-o-Y compared with 6.85 MnT in Feb’17.
South African coal market has witnessed moderate demand from its major customer- India, since the beginning of CY18. Amid the domestic coal crunch that had hit the country during the later part of CY17, Indian buyers had reported monthly coal imports in excess of 3 MnT until Dec’17.
However, with the improvement in domestic coal supply, Indian coal buying has eventually slowed down. Moreover, the prevailing high coal offers for South African coal coupled with supply tightness had also contributed to the decline in coal exports.
Grade-wise Coal Exports:
Bituminous coal exports from South Africa rose 1% on the month to 6.22 MnT in Feb’18, compared with 6.16 MnT in Jan’18. Pet coke exports increased 26% M-o-M to 6,568 MT in Feb’18.
Exports of Anthracite coal had recorded drastic fall from 43,779 MT in Jan’18 to 149 MT in Feb’18. Met coke export was 9,140 MT, down 15% M-o-M from 5,227 MT in Jan’18.
Major Coal Importers:
Indian coal import fell 4% M-o-M to 2.59 MnT in Feb’18 compared with 2.7 MnT in Jan’18, which was also 10% lower on the year compared with 2.89 MnT in Feb’17.
Pakistan replaced South Korea to become the second-largest coal importer in Feb’18. Pakistan’s coal imports stood 0.87 MnT during the month, up 89% M-o-M from 0.46 MnT in Jan’18.
South Korea was the third-largest receiver of South African coal with imports of 0.73 MnT, import volume was down, 3% on the month and 9% on the year, in Feb’18.
Source: South African customs | Quantity in MnT
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