Vietnam Coal Exports Down 15.5% to 4.726M Tons in Q1
Vietnam is estimated to have exported 4.726 million tons of coal worth US$339 million in the first quarter of this year, down 15.5% and up 21.2% from a year earlier, respectively, said the General Statistics Office (GSO).
The Southeast Asian country shipped abroad 1.9 million tons of the fossil fuel valued at US$136 million in Mar., representing increases of 28.2% and 32.03% from a month earlier, respectively, the GSO said.
Analysts said Vietnam should stop exporting coal as soon as possible for national reserves as the country is forecast to have to start importing coal from 2012.
The state-owned Vietnam National Coal-Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) has set a target to produce between 46 million and 48 million tons of coal this year. The group plans to sell 43 million tons of coal in 2010, including 18 million tons for exports.
Last year, Vinacomin exported 23.8 million tons of coal, accounting for 54.71% of its coal output in the year. (GSO)
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