South African coal exports have dropped 36% on the month to 5.08 MnT in Jan’19, making it the lowest monthly volume since Jul’17. Exports were also 23% lower on the year from 6.57 MnT in Jan’18.
South African coal market has struggled with depressed demand from India, where a gradual build-up of coal stock at the power plants has relatively eased the domestic coal supplies for non-power sector.
Besides, an enormous amount of coal taken in the last two months of CY18 (Nov-Dec), has also lowered the Indian coal imports during Jan’19.
India remained the largest receiver of South African coal in Jan’19, with a volume of 1.49 MnT. However, that volume was down 56% m-o-m and 45% y-o-y, recording its lowest monthly total since Jan’17.
South African coal export to its second-largest customer-Pakistan, had fell 27% M-o-M to 0.85 MnT in Jan’19, but was 85% higher on the year from 0.46 MnT in Jan’18.
South Korea replaced Sri Lanka to become the third-largest coal receiver in Jan’19.
Korean coal imports from South Africa increased 19% M-o-M to 0.37 MnT, while Sri Lanka witnessed a decline of 57% in monthly coal intake during Jan’19.
Spain (0.35 MnT), UAE (0.31 MnT), Mozambique (0.17 MnT), Taiwan (0.16 MnT) and Vietnam (0.14 MnT) were among the other major coal receivers in Jan’19.
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