Colombia: Coal Exports Jump Two-Folds M-o-M in Jan'20

Coal exports by Colombia have witnessed a remarkable surge during the beginning of CY20, where a higher demand for non-coking coal helped the country to attain its highest monthly total since Dec'17.

Data provided by Colombian customs indicate that the country had exported 13.03 MnT coal in Jan'20 compared with 6.49 MnT in Dec'19, thus recording a 101% increase on the monthly basis. The coal volume had also jumped 145% on the year from 5.32 MnT in Jan'19.

The abrupt rise in exports could be attributed to the price arbitrage of Colombian non-coking coal compared with similar grade offered from different origins. Incidentally, volume of non-coking coal which accounts for lion's share in total exports, had jumped 2-folds to 12.34 MnT in Jan'20 as against 6 MnT noted in Dec'19.

Major Coal Importers:

Turkey remained the largest buyer from Colombia, with a hefty rise in imports noted in Jan'20. Coal volume taken by Turkey increased 83% M-o-M to 3.95 MnT as against 2.16 MnT in Dec'19.

Mexico emerged as the second-largest importer with a receipt of 1.38 MnT in Jan'20. Imports by the country were noted 182% higher on the month from 0.49 MnT in Dec'19, besides, exhibiting an exponential rise from 0.05 MnT in Jan'19.

Israel and South Korea followed the two major coal importers, while receiving coal shipments in excess of 1 MnT during the month, a feat that was not seen in recent times.