China not SA's biggest coal market

China – seen to be the driving force behind world commodity prices – was only the fifth largest customer for South African exporters of bituminous thermal coal in 2014, according to the latest customs data from the South African Revenue Services (Sars). South Africa exported 74.42 million metric tons of bituminous thermal coal in 2014. India was the biggest customer, taking delivery of 30.45 million tons, while the Netherlands was the next largest at 9.69 million tons. Turkey and Pakistan took delivery of 3.58m and 3.37m respectively, while China took 3.17 million tons during the year. Exports to China were, however, affected in the second half of 2014 by competition from Australian coal and lower demand in the CFR South China market.