China imported 42.78-million tons of coal in June, customs data showed on Tuesday, up 29% from a year earlier as a mine accident in late May tightened domestic supply and led to higher imports.
China’s coal imports in the first half of the year rose 1.7% from a year earlier to 225.4-million tons, the data also showed.
China’s May coal output fell 1.7% as the impact of China’s deadliest mining disaster since 2009 disrupted output.
Chinese importers of coking coal, used for making steel, turned to alternative sources such as Canada and Australia for delivery in June and July.
“Demand for seaborne coking coal materially strengthened as shipments of Australian coking coal to China likely increased to a multi-year high,” said Toby Hassall, lead coal analyst for LSEG. The customs administration will release more detailed information on coal imports on July 20.
At the same time, China’s use of coal in the power sector is rising this year as renewable energy has failed to keep pace with demand, and as the Iran war has led to some gas to coal switching.
