China imported 21.20 million mt of coal in July, including lignite, thermal and metallurgical material, down 2.5% from June and 0.2% year on year, according to preliminary data released Monday by China's General Administration of Customs.
China imported 21.75 million mt of coal in June this year. In July 2015, the country imported 21.26 million mt.
"Strong coal imports continued to reflect tightness in the domestic market as a result of the 276-day curtailment policy," Citibank analysts said in a note. "Yet the improvements of actual import volumes were limited due to supply tightness in the Pacific Basin market."
China's coal producing regions have currently implemented statutory production of 276 days in a year, down from 330 days previously, leading to supply tightness in the domestic market and an increase in imports.
January-July total imports rose 6.7% year on year to 129.17 million mt.
The country exported 0.23 million mt coal in July, slumping 43.9% year on year and 65% month on month, the data showed.
Exports over January-July rose 77.9% year on year to 4.91 million mt.
The GAC did not give a breakdown of the July imports, which would be available later this month.
