Russian coal exports to China in March 2023 reached a new record high of 8.9 mio t (+2.7 mio t or +43.5% to February 2023 and +5.8 mio t or +187% to March 2022). Thus, shipments from Russia in March 2023 nearly tripled from 3.1 mio t in March 2022. The previous monthly record was set in August 2022 at 8.5 mio t.
In March 2023, China imported record tonnages from Russia and Mongolia, while Australia also managed to significantly ramp up shipments after China lifted its unofficial ban on Australian coal imports into the country.
China’s total coal imports in March 2023 amounted to 41.2 million tons, 2.4 mio t lower than the record level of 43.6 mio t in January 2020.
The largest suppliers of coal to China were: Indonesia (22 mio t), Russia (8.9 mio t), Mongolia (5.8 mio t) and Australia (2.2 mio t).
In Q1 2023, total Russian coal exports to China jumped to 22.2 mio t (+12.7 mio t or +133.7% vs. Q1 2022).
Source: CAA
