Turkish coal imports have fallen 15% Q-o-Q to 9.87 MnT during the first quarter of CY19 (Jan’19-Mar’19), which was also 7% lower on the year from 10.61 MnT in Q1 CY18.
Sharp depreciation of the Turkish lira versus the US dollar, had a significant impact on the country’s appetite for imported dollar-denominated coal.
Besides, a permissible rise in sulphur cap and hike in import tax for US thermal coal, have also dampened Turkey’s coal sourcing from Colombia and the US.
In fact, among the major coal suppliers, only Russia had witnessed a noticeable rise in coal exports to Turkey during the first quarter of CY19.
A grade-wise break-up of imports indicate that Turkish non-coking coal sourcing had decreased 4% Y-o-Y to 7.06 MnT during the first quarter of CY19.
Coking coal imports grew 16% Y-o-Y to 1.38 MnT in Q1 CY19, which was the only rise witnessed among the major coal grades.
Imports of Anthracite coal dropped 22% Y-o-Y to 0.18 MnT, along with Met coke and Pet Coke shipments in the period.
| Grades | Q1 CY19 | Q1 CY18 | Y-o-Y Change |
| Non Coking Coal | 7.06 | 7.38 | -4% |
| Coking Coal | 1.38 | 1.19 | 16% |
| Pet Coke | 1.04 | 1.55 | -33% |
| Met Coke | 0.21 | 0.25 | -16% |
| Anthracite | 0.18 | 0.23 | -22% |
| Grand Total | 9.87 | 10.61 | -7% |
Source: Turkish customs
Quantity in MnT
Turkish Coal Imports in Mar’19:
Turkey’s coal import rebounded after falling in Feb’19, to record 6% growth on monthly basis during Mar’19.
According to the data provided by customs, the country had imported 3.31 MnT coal in Mar’19 which was also 2% higher on the year from 3.26 MnT in Mar’18.
The country had recorded slight drop in coal intake from its major supplier Colombia, which was marked at 1.32 MnT in Mar’19 as against 1.34 MnT in Feb’19.
Coal sourcing from Russia increased 8% M-o-M to 0.95 MnT in Mar’19.
US emerged as the third-largest coal supplier to Turkey in Mar’19. Coal volumes from the US improved 37% on the month to 0.37 MnT, but were still down 40% Y-o-Y from 0.62 MnT in Mar’18.
Leave a Reply