New data for #coal exports by @ArgusMedia shows grim outlook for thermal coal in 2020, with #COVID19 causing declines in global coal exports of 2.7mn t in March and 3mn t in April, while prices have slumped to historical lows

Unroll for forecasts for biggest coal exporters

Indonesian exports declined nearly 3mn t in the first quarter and will probably be hit hard in the rest of the year by lower power-sector demand in India squeezing further coal producers’ profit margins

Australian coal was in loss-making territory at many mines in May following the price slump and a threatened import ban by major buyer China , as relations deteriorate between the two

South African exports have fallen sharply because of the plunge in coal demand in India forcing ZAF to
diversify and expand sales into other markets, but at the expense of lower prices

Russian export volumes were hit hardest in the first quarter, due to low demand in South Korea and the EU . For the rest of the year, the potential stricter restrictions on Chinese imports is a downside risk

The pandemic has exacerbated the decline in Colombian exports by the collapse in the Atlantic market. Margins for many producers are likely to be negative
at current prices, creating a potential headwind to supply
for the rest of the year

US exports have been in steady decline for more than a year and will continue falling due to demand reductions and restrictions in the EU and India