Turkey Coal Imports Up 18% M-o-M in Mar’17

Turkey, one of the major coal importers in the world, witnessed a growth of 18% M-o-M in their monthly coal imports. The country received 3.85 MnT coal in Mar’17 against 3.27 MnT in Feb’17.

Imports were also higher compared with 3.79 MnT in Mar’16, thus recording an increase of 2% Y-o-Y, according to the data released by Turkish Customs.

Coal Imports in 2017:
During the first quarter of the year 2017 (Jan’17-Mar’17), Turkey has imported 10.41 MnT coal. Coal imports have marginally increased by 2% compared with 10.17 MnT imported during the first quarter of the previous year.

Grade-wise Coal Imports:
Turkey mainly imports Bituminous coal, which accounts for 80% of the total monthly coal imports. Pet coke, Coking coal, Anthracite and Met Coke comprise the remaining coal commodities imported by the country.

During Mar’17, imports of Bituminous coal, Met coke and Pet Coke increased on the monthly basis. While the imports of Anthracite and coking coal fell during the month.

Bituminous coal imports jumped by 35% M-o-M to 3.08 MnT in Mar’17.

Imports of coking coal recorded major downfall, which stood at 0.17 MnT in Mar’17 dropping 68% M-o-M.

Preliminary Data
Source: Turkish Customs
Quantities in MnT

Major Exporting Countries:
Colombia remained the major coal supplier to Turkey. Colombia shipped 1.82 MnT coal in Mar’17, with exports rising by 49% M-o-M and 58% Y-o-Y.

Russia, second-largest coal exporters, supplied 1.05 MnT in Mar’17. Coal exports increased by 3% M-o-M compared with 1.02 MnT in Feb’17. Yearly exports also rose by 7% compared with 0.99 MnT in Mar’16.

Turkey has decreased its coal imports from South Africa and Australia. With coal exports from Africa falling by 75% Y-o-Y to 0.15 MnT in Mar’17. Also, Australian coal exports were lowered by 79% Y-o-Y to 0.09 MnT in Mar’17.