China's coal imports from Russia drop

BEIJING, May 20 (Reuters): China's coal imports from Russia fell 13 per cent in April from the same month last year to 7.397 million metric tons, customs data showed on Tuesday, as overall coal imports fell sharply.

Russian coal shipments to China could increase in the coming months as Moscow is planning to support its coal industry, hit by western sanctions, with discounts on rail transportation rates and guaranteed exports, according to a letter seen by Reuters and reports from coal-producing regions.

Imports from Mongolia, mostly of coking coal, dipped 3 per cent to 7.014 million tons last month.

Coal imports from China's largest supplier Indonesia tumbled 20 per cent to 14.286 million tons.