India coal imports see first dip in three months in April

NEW DELHI, May 7 (Reuters): India's coal imports fell 6 per cent in April from a year ago to 15.2 million tonnes, the first dip in three months, as power and steel producers used up stocks piled up in previous months, according to provisional data from research firm OreTeam.

Overseas coal purchases by India, the world's third-largest importer, rose in all but one month of the year that ended on March 31, mainly spurred by lower prices and as power companies added capacity.

"The fall in April can be attributed mainly to adequate stocking in previous months," said OreTeam research head Prakash Duvvuri. "Also, a good stockpile of coal is visible at ports with no disruptions expected in the coming months."