Turkey: Coal Imports Up 11% M-o-M in Nov’19

Turkey’s coal imports have increased 11% on the month to 4.59 MnT in Nov’19, thereby attaining its highest monthly total for CY19. The country had imported 4.14 MnT coal in Oct’19.

Incidentally, Turkey had also managed to record its highest Y-o-Y growth for the CY19, as imports in Nov’19 were marked 23% higher on the year from 3.74 MnT in Nov’18.

Coal imports by the country has been increasing since the drastic fall seen in Jul’19, which was underpinned by a progressive rise in coal receipt noted from its major supplier-Colombia, in the second half of CY19.

However, total imports registered in the first 11 months of CY19 (Jan-Nov’19) have fallen 7% Y-o-Y to 37.57 MnT as against 40.4 MnT noted in the year-ago period.

Grade-wise Imports in Nov’19:
Turkey’s intake of both coking and non-coking coal was on the rise during Nov’19, attaining their respective highest mark for the CY19.

Non-coking coal imports grew 4% M-o-M to 3.56 MnT, along with coking coal which had witnessed an exponential growth of 145% on the month to 0.71 MnT in Nov’19.

The country had reported subdued intake of coke products, whereas anthracite coal imports had noted a noticeable increase in Nov’19.

Source: Turkish customs
Quantity in MnT

Major Coal Exporters:
Coal supplies from Turkey’s chief exporter-Colombia, increased 18% on the month to 2.18 MnT in Nov’19. Apparently, coal volumes had touched the 2 MnT mark for the first time in 15 months. Besides, exports were also noted 27% higher on the year from 1.71 MnT in Nov’18.

Russian coal exports to Turkey decreased 3% M-o-M to 1.54 MnT in Nov’19, but were seen 83% higher Y-o-Y from the levels attained in the year-ago month.

Australia emerged as the third-largest coal exporter, whose supplies were boosted by Turkey’s elevated demand for steel-making coal. Australian exports stood 0.49 MnT in Nov’19, up 104% Y-o-Y from 0.24 MnT in Nov’18. The country had reported nil exports in the previous month.