<p>General Administration of Customs data shows that China’s coal imports in October 2021 nearly doubled YoY to 26.9 million tonnes. The numbers for October were less than September, when China’s coal imports peaked at 32.9 million tonnes. The large purchases come as Chinese people have been suffering severe power outages, which intensified in September. Coal scarcity was aggravated in the beginning of October as key coal mining regions were hit by torrential rain.</p><p>More than two-thirds of China’s electricity comes from burning thermal coal. Production shortages, high fuel prices, and booming post-pandemic industrial demand have sparked widespread power shortages. Shortage and surging costs caused thermal coal prices to rise, reaching CNY 1,640 yuan (USD 254) per tonne on October 13, tripling the price at the start of 2021.</p>
<p>General Administration of Customs data shows that China’s coal imports in October 2021 nearly doubled YoY to 26.9 million tonnes. The numbers for October were less than September, when China’s coal imports peaked at 32.9 million tonnes. The large purchases come as Chinese people have been suffering severe power outages, which intensified in September. Coal scarcity was aggravated in the beginning of October as key coal mining regions were hit by torrential rain.</p><p>More than two-thirds of China’s electricity comes from burning thermal coal. Production shortages, high fuel prices, and booming post-pandemic industrial demand have sparked widespread power shortages. Shortage and surging costs caused thermal coal prices to rise, reaching CNY 1,640 yuan (USD 254) per tonne on October 13, tripling the price at the start of 2021.</p>
