South Korea monthly imports decline however yearly imports have increased in Feb’17.
South Korea, fourth largest coal importers after China, Japan and India, have recorded downfall of 9% in their monthly coal imports. The country imported 12.50 MnT coal in Feb’17 against 13.68 MnT in Jan’17.
Yearly imports have however increased by 27% in comparison with 9.88 MnT in Feb’16, as per data released by South Korean Customs.
Grade-wise Coal Imports:
Korea majorly imports Non-coking coal, Coking coal and Anthracite, along with small quantities of Pet coke, Met coke and other grades of coal.
In Feb’17, imports of Non-coking coal; were 9.23 MnT down by 8% M-o-M compared with 10.07 MnT in Jan’17. Coking coal imports also fell by 15% M-o-M to 1.84 MnT.
Almost all major coal commodities imports have fallen over the month.
| Grade | Feb’17 | Jan’17 | %Change |
| Non-Coking | 9.23 | 10.07 | -8% |
| Coking | 1.84 | 2.16 | -15% |
| Anthracite | 0.44 | 0.58 | -24% |
| Pet coke | 0.18 | 0.26 | -31% |
| Met Coke | 0.01 | 0.03 | -52% |
| Others | 0.80 | 0.59 | 35% |
| Total | 12.50 | 13.68 | -9% |
Source: Korean Customs
Quantities in MnT
Preliminary Data
Major Exporting Countries:
South Korea majorly received coal shipments from Australia followed by Indonesia, Russia, South Africa and Canada in Feb’17.
Australia top coal exporter in Feb’17 supplied 3.78 MnT coal, with an increase of 5% M-o-M. However, Yearly imports were down by 10% compared with 4.21 MnT in Feb’16.
Indonesia, second-largest exporter, recorded decline of 19% in their monthly exports to 3.21 MnT in Feb’17. While imports rose 7% Y-o-Y compared with 3.01 MnT in Feb’16.
Russia, third-largest coal exporter also followed the similar trend. With exports falling on the monthly basis by 3%, while yearly imports rose by 18% to 2.06 MnT in Feb’17.
Coal exports from South Africa marked major growth by 48% M-o-M to 1.28 MnT in Feb’17.
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