South Korea: Coal Imports Up 5% M-o-M in Jul’18

South Korean coal imports edged up 5% on the month to 12.34 MnT in Jul’18 against 11.73 MnT in Jun’18, according to the customs data. The country has recorded back-to-back increase in monthly imports since its decline in May’18.

However, imports in Jul’18 were 3% lower on the year than 12.72 MnT volume attained in Jul’17. During the first 7 months of CY18, imports have remained almost unchanged at 87.07 MnT as compared with 86.69 MnT in Jan’17-Jul’17.

Grade-wise Coal Imports:
South Korean imports of both coking and non-coking coal have increased on the monthly basis.

Non-coking coal imports increased 4% M-o-M to 8.7 MnT in Jul’18 against 8.4 MnT in Jun’18, while coking coal imports were marked 2.10 MnT in Jul’18, up 17% on the month from 1.8 MnT in Jun’18.

Monthly imports of Anthracite and Pet coke dropped 23% and 27% respectively, in Jul’18. Met coke import remained stable at 0.03 MnT.

Source: South Korean Customs
Quantity in MnT

Major Coal Exporters:
Australia remained the largest coal supplier in Jul’18. The country’s export to South Korea slipped 2% on the month to 3.44 MnT in Jul’18 against 3.51 MnT in Jun’18. Exports were also 34% lower on the year from 5.23 MnT in Jul’17.

Indonesian coal exports also dropped during the month were recorded at 3.05 MnT in Jul’18 against 3.2 MnT in Jun’18. However, exports were 7% higher on the year compared with 2.86 MnT in Jul’17.

Russian coal exports to South Korea increased both on the monthly and yearly in Jul’18, were recorded at 2.53 MnT.

Of the other major exporters, South Korean coal sourcing from Canada, Colombia and the US improved on the monthly basis in Jul’18. While that from South Africa was down 63% M-o-M to 0.31 MnT in Jul’18.

Source: South Korean customs | Quantity in MnT