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China's coal imports in April fell 16% on an annual basis

Customs data released on Friday showed that China's coal imports dropped 16% in April compared to the same period last year, due to lower domestic prices.

According to the General Administration of Customs, imports were down 37.83 millions metric tons from 45.25 in April 2024.

This was the second consecutive month that China's imports of coal fell year-over-year. They had increased previously every month from November 2022. January and February are excluded because they are affected by Lunar New Year holidays.

Imported coal's profit margins are being cut by the domestic price, which is at a four-year low.

According to the Bohai Rim Bay thermal coal index, China's price for medium grade coal with a heat rating of 5,500 kilocalories/kg was 648 Yuan ($89.55/metric ton) on 8 May. This was the lowest price since March 2021, and it was down from 676 Yuan a few months earlier.

In March, domestic production hit a monthly record of 440.58 tons.

Imports also increased in April 2024, partly because of a series fatal mine accidents that forced the closure of mines in Shanxi for inspection and lowered domestic production.

The data revealed that coal imports for the first four-month period of 2025 were 152.67 millions metric tons. This was down 5.3% compared to 161.15 tons a year ago. (Reporting and editing by Christopher Cushing; Colleen howe)

(source: Reuters)