In September, India's coal imports rose by 4.3 percent to 20.61 million tonnes (MT) compared to the same month in the previous fiscal year. The data has been compiled by B2B e-commerce firm Mjunction Services Limited and shows that the country had imported 19.75 MT of coal during September of the previous fiscal year.

India imported a total of 18.48 million tonnes of coal in September. Out of this, 13.89 million tonnes were non-coking coal, which is higher than the 12.08 million tonnes imported in September last year. On the other hand, coking coal imports decreased from 4.88 million tonnes in September FY23 to 4.59 million tonnes in September this year. However, when compared to the same period last year, coal imports between April and September 2021 declined to 124.53 million tonnes from 135.68 million tonnes.

During the April-September period of FY24, non-coking coal import was at 77.65 MT, lower than 92.72 MT imported during the same period last financial year. Coking coal import was at 29.44 MT from April to September 2023 to 24, up against 28.05 MT recorded in the corresponding period last financial year.

Commenting on the coal import trend, Vinaya Varma, MD & CEO, mjunction, said, "There was an increase in import volumes in September as the buyers took fresh position for restocking before the festive season. Going forward, demand will likely be moderate given the sufficient domestic volumes and inventory levels".