China imported 22.19 million mt of coal — including lignite, thermal and metallurgical coal — in May, down 10.45% from the 24.78 million mt imported in April but up 16.61% from the 19.03 million mt in May last year, according to preliminary figures released Thursday by the General Administration of Customs. Imports over January-May rose 29.6% year on year to 111.68 million mt. “The rising total coal imports momentum [was] sustained in May, though weakened 10.5% on a month-on-month basis,” Citi analysts said in a note. “Strong year-on-year imports were thanks to continued restocking demand at mines, ports and mills and positive coking coal import arbitrages since April.” China exported 1.31 million mt of coal in May, up 84.51% year on year, the GAC data showed. Article continues below… Platts Coal Trader International is the only daily publication where you can access Platts proprietary price assessments for coal trading […]