USA: Coal Export Volume Almost Unchanged M-o-M in May’17

India was the top coal importer from USA during the month.

USA, the fourth-largest coal exporters in the world, has seen minimal changes in monthly coal exports during May’17. Coal exports have fallen from 10.06 MnT in Apr’17 to 10.03 MnT in May’17.

However, total coal exports during the first 5 months of 2017 (Jan’17-May’17) stood 50.82 MnT, which was 36% higher than 37.37 MnT exported during Jan’16-May’16.

Also, USA coal exports in May’17 have increased 33% Y-o-Y compared with 7.53 MnT in May’16, according to the customs data.

Grade-wise Coal Exports:
USA majorly exports Coking coal, Pet Coke and Non-coking coal, along with small quantities of Met coke, Anthracite and other grades of coal.

During the month, Exports of Coking coal and Pet coke remained stable: while exports of Non-coking coal increased 17% M-o-M to 1.82 MnT in May’17.

Source: US customs
Quantity in MnT

Major Coal Importers:
India replaced Japan to become the top coal importer from the USA, despite recording decline in coal supplies on the monthly basis.

India had imported 1.11 MnT coal in May’17, down by 15% M-o-M compared with 1.31 MnT in Apr’17. Also, imports fell 13% Y-o-Y compared with 1.27 MnT in May’16.

Japan was the largest coal importer last month. However, the country fell down from the first to fifth position among largest coal importers after witnessing a downfall of 49% M-o-M in May’17.

South Korea, the second-largest coal importer in May’17, received 0.83 MnT coal from the USA. On the monthly basis, imports have marginally fallen from 0.84 MnT in Apr’17. While, on the yearly basis, imports have increased more than three times compared with 0.23 MnT in May’16.

China, Canada, Japan, Turkey and Mexico were among the other major coal importers during the month.

                                     Quantity in MnT