US: Coal Exports Up 36% Y-o-Y in Nov’17

As per the data provided by the US customs, the country’s coal exports have increased by 36% to 11.77 MnT in Nov’17 compared with 8.64 MnT in Nov’16. On the monthly basis, exports have dropped 6% compared with 12.57 MnT in Oct’17.

US exports have been held at relatively high levels in CY17 driven by strong demand from Asia and Europe. The country has posted growth in exports on the Y-o-Y basis for each month during the year.

The country has already surpassed the total coal exports of CY17, finding support from its top 3 major customers- India, Japan and South Korea. All these nations have now received more coal during Jan’17-Nov’17 than they had managed during the entire Jan’16-Dec’16 period.

US total coal exports stood 117.01 MnT during Jan’17 to Nov’17 period, which is 38% more than the export of 84.76 MnT during the same period in 2016.

Grade-wise Coal Exports in Nov’17:
Export of Coking coal had only recorded notable growth during the month, while export of other major coal grades had fallen during the month.

Coking coal exports increase 9% M-o-M to 4.63 MnT in Nov’17. Non-Coking coal exports had slipped 1% M-o-M to 3.42 MnT, whereas Pet coke exports were down 27% on the month.

Source: US Customs
Quantity in MnT

Major Coal Importers:
Indian buyers have revived their interest for US coal which has emerged as an alternative source for coal procurement. Amid the ban on Pet coke, and the supply disruptions in South Africa, buyers had turned towards US coal market to meet their demand.

Indian coal import from US has increased 5% M-o-M to 1.92 MnT in Nov’17, which was also 167% higher on the year compared with 0.72 MnT in Nov’16.

Brazil was the second-largest coal importer in Nov’17. The country had received 0.99 MnT coal from the US, up 48% M-o-M from 0.67 MnT in Oct’17.

Mexico, Ukraine, Netherlands and Japan were the other major coal receivers during the month.

Source: US Customs | Quantity in MnT