India’s Coking Coal Imports See Yearly Decline, Impacting the Steel Industry
India’s coking coal imports, a critical component for steel production, have faced a notable decline in the April-December period of the fiscal year 2024-25. As per provisional data from the Indian Ports Association, total imports reached approximately 42.895 million metric tons, which marks an 11.65% decrease compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year. This reduction reflects broader trends in the country’s demand for steel production raw materials, amid fluctuating global and domestic factors.
Monthly Breakdown: December 2024 Data
The data for December 2024 further illustrates the decline in coking coal imports, with shipments recorded at 4.149 million metric tons. This is significantly lower than the 5.409 million metric tons imported in November 2024, marking a month-to-month drop of approximately 23.3%. The decrease in December is part of a larger trend that reflects subdued demand in the domestic steel industry, likely influenced by both seasonal factors and changing global market conditions.
Iron Ore Traffic Also Declines
In addition to coking coal, India’s iron ore traffic, which includes pellets, also saw a downturn in the first nine months of the 2024-25 fiscal year. Total iron ore traffic during the April-December period was estimated at 36.437 million metric tons, representing a decline of 15.67% compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. This drop in iron ore traffic signals potential challenges for India’s steel production capacity, as iron ore is another essential raw material used in the manufacturing of steel.
