US: Coal Exports Up 8% M-o-M in Oct’18

Coal exports from the US have increased 8% on the month to 12.46 MnT in Oct’18 against 11.51 MnT in Sep’18, as per the data provided by US customs.

Exports had attained a 6-month high total in Oct’18, but were 1% lower on the year from 12.57 MnT in Oct’17. Notably, it was the first y-o-y fall recorded in CY18.

US coal market witnessed a tepid demand from its major customer-India, which had noted its lowest monthly import for the CY18 in October. But, the impact was offset by higher imports from Japan and Netherlands during the month.

Lack of Indian buying was however reflected on US non-coking and pet coke sales in Oct’18.

A grade-wise break-up indicate that coking coal exports had increased 43% M-o-M to 5.29 MnT in Oct’18, highest since Apr’18.

The remarkable growth in Coking coal sales was eventually brought down by a 6% decline in non-coking coal exports, marked at 4.01 MnT in Oct’18. While pet coke exports had dropped to its lowest monthly total, noted at 2.68 MnT.

Source: US Customs
Quantity in MnT

Major Coal Importers:
Japan emerges as the largest coal receiver from the US in Oct’18. The country’s import of 1.74 MnT was marked highest for the CY18. Imports were up 107% M-o-M from 0.84 MnT in Sep’18, also 123% higher on the year from 0.78 MnT in Oct’17.

Netherlands too had attained its year-high imports during Oct’18. Coal import increased 32% M-o-M to 1.56 MnT in Oct’18, also up by 133% Y-o-Y from 0.67 MnT in Oct’17.

India was the third-largest coal receiver, with imports of 1.09 MnT in Oct’18. India’s coal intake from the US fell 28% M-o-M from 1.52 MnT in Sep’18, also dropping 40% Y-o-Y from 1.83 MnT in Oct’17.

Canada, Mexico, Brazil and South Korea were among the other major coal importers in Oct’18.

Source: US Customs | Quantity in MnT