Chinese Coal Industry Looking Strong

Monday, 28 November 2011 15:47

The coal output in the first three quarters of 2011 has hit 2.69 billion metric tons (mt) up by 11.6% year-on-year. Its sales volume hit 2.64 billion mt a 13.1% increase compared to the same period of 2010. According to China Daily, coal export volume has dropped slightly this quarter while its import volume continues to increase. The market price of the coal has been quite stable. Domestic demand for coal will grow steadily but at a slower pace. Meanwhile, the productivity of the coal will increase and the 2011 Chinese coal output may exceed 3.5 billion mt. Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics and the General Administration of Customs earlier this year showed China produced 3.24 billion metric tons (mt) of coal in 2010 while net imports totaled 106 million mt over the same period.