Australia reduced coking coal exports by 26.5% y/y in February

In February, Australia reduced coking coal exports by 26.5% year-on-year – to 8.99 million tons. This figure fell by 20.4% compared to the previous month, BigMint reports.

Australian exports of coking coal to China in February decreased by 52% m/m – to 0.48 million tons, to India – by 45% m/m, to 1.63 million tons.

The trend was also reflected by Australian coal terminals, as most ports saw a drop in export activity.

The average monthly price of Australian coking coal last month was $188/t FOB, down $5/t compared to January. This reflects a general slowdown in global exports of this raw material and lower demand caused by falling steel prices and the unstable economic situation.

In its December review, the Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources predicted that coking coal prices in the 2024/2025 financial year (ending in June 2025) will average $211/t and $205/t in 2025/2026.

In its quarterly report on resources and energy, the agency noted that the coking coal price forecast is subject to high volatility, given the illiquidity of the market and the possibility of changes in steel trade flows depending on changes in geopolitical and trade policies.

According to the forecast, Australia’s coking coal exports are expected to increase from 151 million tons to 174 million tons in the 2025/2026 fiscal year.