India Coal Briquettes HS2701 Import Data 2025 February Overview

India Coal Briquettes (HS 2701) 2025 February Import: Key Takeaways

India's February 2025 Coal Briquettes (HS Code 2701) imports reveal Singapore as the dominant low-cost supplier, delivering over 60% of volume but just 33% of value—highlighting its role as a bulk commodity hub. The market shows a clear split: Singapore and the UAE offer cheap, high-volume coal, while Australia supplies premium-grade at $8.46/kg. This analysis, covering February 2025, is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

India Coal Briquettes (HS 2701) 2025 February Import Background

What is HS Code 2701?

HS Code 2701 covers coal; briquettes, ovoids, and similar solid fuels manufactured from coal, primarily used in power generation, steel production, and industrial heating. Its global demand remains stable due to its role as a cost-effective energy source, especially in emerging economies. India’s reliance on this product underscores its importance in sustaining energy-intensive industries.

Current Context and Strategic Position

In 2025, India’s coal briquettes (HS Code 2701) imports surged, with coal contributing $2.15 billion to India-Russia trade alone, marking a 5.7% YoY increase [GTAIC]. This reflects India’s strategic dependence on imports to meet domestic energy demands amid rising industrial activity. With Indonesia’s coal exports to India dominating under HS 2701 [yTrade], market volatility and geopolitical shifts necessitate close monitoring of India’s Coal Briquettes HS Code 2701 Import 2025 February trends.

India Coal Briquettes (HS 2701) 2025 February Import: Trend Summary

Key Observations

India's Coal Briquettes HS Code 2701 Import for February 2025 reached a value of 2.37 billion USD, with a volume of 3.15 billion metric tons, indicating sustained high activity in this sector.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The import value decreased by approximately 19.4% month-over-month from January's 2.94 billion USD, likely due to seasonal post-winter demand easing and inventory drawdowns typical in coal cycles. Year-over-year, imports are supported by India's growing industrial and energy needs, with overall trends showing resilience.

External Context and Outlook

India's coal import demand remains strong, driven by power sector requirements and industrial growth. According to [The Dollar Business], HS Code 2701 imports were valued at around $25.21 billion recently, highlighting its strategic importance. Increased imports from Russia, up 5.7% in H1-2025 (GTAIC), reflect supply diversification efforts. Outlook remains positive due to domestic production shortfalls and rising energy consumption.

India Coal Briquettes (HS 2701) 2025 February Import: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, India's Coal Briquettes HS Code 2701 Import in February 2025 is heavily concentrated in sub-code 27011920, which covers coal other than anthracite and bituminous, not agglomerated. This sub-code accounts for nearly 80% of the weight share with a low unit price of 0.47 USD per kilogram, highlighting its role as a bulk commodity. An anomaly exists with sub-code 27011290, which has an extremely high unit price of 1355.67 USD per kilogram and is isolated from the main analysis due to its outlier nature.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-anomalous sub-codes fall into three coal grade categories: lower grade coal (27011920, 27011910, 27011990) with unit prices ranging from 0.47 to 1.84 USD per kilogram, bituminous coal (27011210) at 0.54 USD per kilogram, and anthracite coal (27011100) at 12.96 USD per kilogram. This grouping shows a trade structure centered on fungible bulk commodities, where prices are directly linked to weight and basic grade differences rather than value-added processing.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Market players face low pricing power due to the commodity nature of these imports, emphasizing the need for cost-effective sourcing strategies. [GTAIC] notes that coal under HS 2701 was a key import in early 2025, reinforcing the importance of supply chain reliability for India's energy needs.

Check Detailed HS 2701 Breakdown

India Coal Briquettes (HS 2701) 2025 February Import: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In February 2025, India's import of Coal Briquettes HS Code 2701 was heavily concentrated, with Singapore supplying over 60% of the weight but only 33% of the value, indicating a bulk, low-unit-price source typical for commodity energy. Singapore's weight ratio of 62.86% far exceeds its value ratio of 33.25%, suggesting a unit price around $0.40 per kg, which points to large-volume, lower-grade coal shipments. This pattern underscores Singapore's role as a key transshipment hub for energy commodities, facilitating cost-effective imports for India.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top suppliers form three clusters based on unit price and volume. First, Singapore and the UAE offer bulk, low-cost coal with unit prices under $0.55 per kg, likely due to their strategic ports and trade logistics. Second, Indonesia and the US provide moderate-priced coal around $1.15-$1.40 per kg, driven by geographic proximity and established trade routes, with Indonesia being a major regional exporter. Third, Australia stands out with a high unit price of approximately $8.46 per kg, indicating premium, higher-quality coal, possibly due to better energy content or processing.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For market players, diversifying sources beyond Singapore could mitigate supply risks, with increased focus on Indonesia and Russia, where news reports highlight growing import volumes [GTAIC]. Leveraging Indonesia's proximity and Russia's trade growth may secure stable, cost-effective supplies. Companies should monitor geopolitical shifts and invest in logistics for bulk commodities to ensure energy security and price competitiveness in India's coal import market.

Table: India Coal Briquettes (HS 2701) Top Partner Countries (Source: yTrade)

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India Coal Briquettes (HS 2701) 2025 February Import: Action Plan for Coal Briquettes Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The India Coal Briquettes Import market for February 2025 under HS Code 2701 is defined by its commodity nature. Price drivers are primarily coal grade differences and geopolitical supply risks. Lower-grade coal dominates with low unit prices, while premium grades like anthracite command higher costs. Supply chain implications highlight a heavy reliance on Singapore for bulk imports, creating vulnerability. Diversification is crucial for supply security and cost stability. This market requires robust logistics to handle high-volume, low-value shipments efficiently.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Coal Briquettes Market Execution

• Use trade data to identify and contract with alternative suppliers like Indonesia or Russia. This reduces dependence on Singapore and mitigates supply chain risks for India Coal Briquettes Import 2025 February.
• Analyze buyer frequency data to secure long-term agreements with high-value, high-frequency importers. It ensures stable revenue and minimizes demand fluctuations under HS Code 2701.
• Monitor real-time unit price trends across sub-codes and regions. It allows for optimized purchasing based on coal grade and cost-effectiveness.
• Invest in logistics optimization using shipment volume data. It improves handling of bulk commodities and reduces operational costs.
• Incorporate geopolitical insights from sources like GTAIC to adapt sourcing strategies. It helps anticipate market shifts and maintain competitive advantage.

Take Action Now —— Explore India Coal Briquettes Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in India Coal Briquettes Import 2025 February?

India's coal briquettes imports declined 19.4% month-over-month due to seasonal post-winter demand easing, but year-over-year demand remains strong, driven by industrial and energy needs.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this India Coal Briquettes Import 2025 February?

Singapore dominates with 62.86% of the weight share, followed by the UAE, Indonesia, and the US, while Australia supplies higher-grade coal at a premium price.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across India Coal Briquettes Import 2025 February partner countries?

Prices vary by coal grade: Singapore and UAE supply low-grade coal ($0.40-$0.55/kg), Indonesia and the US offer mid-grade ($1.15-$1.40/kg), and Australia provides premium anthracite (~$8.46/kg).

Q4. What should importers in India focus on when buying Coal Briquettes?

Importers should prioritize long-term contracts with dominant bulk buyers (83.15% of value) while diversifying suppliers beyond Singapore to mitigate supply risks, such as sourcing from Indonesia or Russia.

Q5. What does this India Coal Briquettes import pattern mean for overseas suppliers?

Suppliers can expect stable demand from India’s high-volume buyers but should differentiate offerings—bulk low-grade coal for cost-sensitive buyers or premium grades for niche markets.

Q6. How is Coal Briquettes typically used in this trade flow?

Coal briquettes are primarily used as a bulk energy commodity for power generation and industrial processes, with pricing heavily tied to weight and basic grade differences.