August 4, 2019 - U.S. coal exports totaled 7.2 million mt in June, down 12.6% from May and down 21.6% from the year-ago month, according to U.S. Census data Friday.

Exports dropped as global seaborne thermal coal prices hit three-month lows in June, with European-delivered CIF ARA prices averaging $48.36/mt, down 50% from the year-ago month.

Loading issues in New Orleans caused by high river levels and a decline in U.S. coal railcar loadings also curbed exports for the month.

"The decline in railcar loadings has been driven in part by weak domestic demand, but has also cut some export supply as rail movements in the West and Midwest were curtailed due to flooding," S&P Global Platts Analytics said.

Bituminous coal exports in June totaled 2.2 million mt, down 34.1% from the prior month and 39.1% from the year-ago month. Year-to-date bituminous coal exports totaled 17.1 million mt, down 14.9% from the same period last year.

Top bituminous coal destinations in June were India, at 607,651 mt compared with 704,596 mt in the prior month; the Netherlands, at 402,561 mt compared with 576,648 mt; and Egypt, at 378,172 mt compared with 334,355mt.

For the year to date, the top bituminous coal export destinations were India, at 4.96 million mt compared with 5.4 million mt in the year-ago period; the Netherlands, at 2.7 million mt compared with 2.1 million mt; and Japan with 1.9 million mt compared with 1.6 million mt.

Subbituminous coal exports totaled 301,660 mt, up 152.4% from the prior month but down 50.7% from the year-ago month. Year-to-date subbituminous coal exports totaled 2.2 million mt, down 37.1% from the same period last year.

Top subbituminous coal destinations in June were South Korea with 226,095 mt compared with 45,523 mt in the prior month, and Mexico at 75,565 mt compared with 14,669 mt.

For the year to date, the top subbituminous coal export destinations were South Korea, at 1.2 million mt compared with 2.7 million mt in the year-ago period; Mexico, at 717,728 mt compared with 1 million mt; and Egypt, at 174,816 compared with zero tons last year.

Metallurgical coal exports in June totaled 4.7 million mt, down 2% from the prior month and down 5.3% from the year-ago month. Year-to-date met coal exports totaled 26.3 million mt, down 8.8% from the same period last year.

Top met coal destinations in June were Japan at 673,803 mt compared with 644,102 mt in the prior month; Brazil at 656,265 mt compared with 560,019 mt and the Netherlands with 381,411 compared with 163,566.

For the year to date, top met coal export destinations were Brazil, at 3.5 million mt compared with 3.9 million mt in the year-ago period; Japan, at 3.3 million mt compared with 2.7 million mt; and the Netherlands, at 2.8 million mt compared with 2.5 million mt.