January 4, 2025 - Italy's thermal coal imports dropped in October after rising nearly three times in September, according to Ministry of Environment and Energy Security data seen by S&P Global Commodity Insights Jan. 3.

The drop came amid a fall in demand from end-users, sources said.

In October, Italy imported 106,724 mt of thermal coal, down 59% month over month and year over year, the data showed.

Comparatively warmer winters in 2024 led to a fall in consumption of thermal coal in October. Moreover, the year-over-year decline indicated the government's push to phase out thermal coal from the grid to meet net-zero commitments.

Additionally, a rise in coal prices delivered to Europe in October led to a fall in demand. Platts, part of Commodity Insights, assessed CIF ARA 6,000 kcal/kg NAR coal prices at an average of $118.42/mt in October, down from $113.45/mt in September. The price was last assessed at $113.80/mt Jan. 2, up 25 cents day over day.

Kazakhstan emerged as the top supplier of thermal coal to Italy in October despite not sending any shipments in September. Italy received 51,496 mt of Kazakhstan thermal coal during the month, the ministry data showed.

Kazakhstan surpassed South Africa as the leading supplier, as South Africa did not send any shipments in October. Kazakhstan's total thermal coal exports to Italy from January to October stood at 226,994 mt.

Meanwhile, Colombia became the second-largest supplier, shipping 29,323 mt of thermal coal to Italy in October, bringing its total exports to Italy in 2024 to 286,472 mt.

Indonesia exported 25,905 mt of thermal coal to Italy in October, down 60% month over month and 70% year over year, the data showed.

Italy did not receive any thermal coal shipments from Venezuela, Russia, Australia, the US and South Africa during the month.