China’s coking and thermal coal markets are set to tighten over the remainder of 2020 as stringent import restrictions curb supply at a time of robust demand from heavy industry, and with the winter heating season about to kick in. China, the world’s top coal consumer, reportedly informed key buyers to avoid Australian coal last week, part of a broader move to limit imports that also inflamed already-fraught trade ties between Beijing and Canberra. Australia supplied over 40% of China’s total coking coal imports in 2019, and about 57% of its thermal coal. Graphic – China’s coal imports origins: Chinese authorities have since 2018 tried to curb coal imports using an unofficial quota system that […]