India Boosts Russian Coal Imports

(MENAFN) India significantly raised its purchases of Russian thermal coal in May, reaching a two-year peak of 1.3 million tons, as reported by a business newspaper on Friday.

This surge was mainly attributed to "flexible pricing" and the superior quality of coal offered by Russian suppliers, according to the publication.

As a result, Russia now holds a 7.5 percent share in India’s overall coal imports.

Although India brought in 9.8 million tons of Indonesian coal during the same month, it is reportedly aiming to enhance its procurement of "higher-grade Russian coal."

According to the newspaper, citing figures from BigMint, India’s total thermal coal imports saw a 10 percent rise in May, amounting to 17.4 million tons—the highest since June 2024.

The upward trend has been fueled by favorable trade conditions, prompting India to scale back its reliance on lower-energy Indonesian coal in preference for superior Russian alternatives offered at more "competitive prices."

Nariman Taiketayev, head of the Corporate Ratings Group at National Credit Ratings, told the daily that Russian vendors are often more willing to engage in "flexible pricing" arrangements.

He added that India's coal needs going forward will largely be shaped by cost fluctuations and meteorological factors.

Meanwhile, Evgeny Grachev, who leads the Russian Centre for Price Indices, suggested that Russian coal shipments to India most likely expanded within the scope of pre-existing agreements.

MENAFN29062025000045017167ID1109737918