Taiwan: Coal Imports Up 10% Y-o-Y in H1 CY17

Taiwan, the world’s fifth largest coal importer, has recorded 10% growth in imports during the first six months of 2017 in comparison with the imports during the correspond period of 2016.

Coal Imports have risen from 32.12 MnT during Jan’16-Jun’16 to 35.4 MnT during Jan’17-Jun’17, according to the data provided by Taiwan customs.

Taiwan had achieved highest monthly imports of 7.31 MnT during May’17 over the 2016-17 period. The gains came as just three of the country’s six nuclear reactors were operational, thereby demanding more coal-fired power generation during that period. However, Imports in Jun’17 were down by 24% M-o-M to 5.58 MnT.

Despite the fall on the monthly basis, Jun’17 imports were still 8% higher on the year compared with 5.17 MnT in Jun’16.

Grade-wise Coal Imports:
About 96% of the total coal imports in Taiwan were made up of Bituminous coal during the half yearly period of 2017. Bituminous coal imports have increased 9% Y-o-Y to 34.09 MnT during Jan’17-Jun’17.

While imports of Anthracite coal and Pet coke have also increased during the year, import of Met coke has remained constant at 0.17 MnT during H1 CY17.

Source: Taiwan Customs
Quantity in MnT
Major Coal Exporters:
Australia was the largest coal exporter during H1 CY17, catering about 46% of Taiwan’s total coal supplies. Australian coal export has increased 6% Y-o-Y to 16.46 MnT during Jan’17-Jun’17 period.

Indonesia, second-largest coal exporter, recorded a fall of 9% in coal exports during the year.

Russia, third-largest coal exporter to Taiwan, had registered export of 5.33 MnT during Jan’17-Jun’17. Russian coal export increased 36% Y-o-Y from 3.91 MnT during Jan’16-Jun’16.

South Africa, Canada, USA and China were amongst the other major coal exporter during the Jan’17-Jun’17 period.