Turkey's April bituminous thermal coal imports fell 35.9% year on year and 56.4% month on month to 1.34 million mt, the lowest monthly volume since April 2014, according to data from the Turkish statistical Institute (TUIK) Friday.
Colombia was again the largest shipper of thermal coal to Turkey at 669,240 mt -- down 49% on the year and 63% from March -- but was closely followed by shipments from Russia at 633,864 mt -- up 15% on the year, but down 36% from March.
Shipments from both origins were at their lowest levels since May last year.
The only other origin with a notable import volume came from South Africa at 40,500 mt, which dropped 59% on-year and 73% on the month.
According to the data, Turkey's total purchases in April for imported thermal coal were $120.24 million, falling 4% on the year and 57% on the month.
This was equivalent to a monthly average price of $89.46/mt, down from $90.14/mt in March.
S&P Global Platts assessed the April monthly average of its CIF Turkey 6,000 kcal/kg NAR 90-day price at $81.75/mt, relatively steady on the month.
Meanwhile, Turkey's total coking coal imports in April were 724,745 mt, up from 318,548 mt a year ago and 166,837 mt in March.
The country's anthracite imports for the month were 38,178 mt, falling 35% on the year and 17% from March.
