India Coal Briquettes HS2701 Import Data 2025 January Overview

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

India's January 2025 Coal Briquettes imports (HS Code 2701) reveal a dual reliance on Australia’s high-grade coking coal (28.43% value share) and Indonesia’s bulk thermal coal (39.79% quantity share), exposing quality-cost trade-offs. Buyer concentration remains high, with limited diversification, while import trends show stable demand but potential supply chain risks from geopolitical dependencies. This analysis, based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database, covers January 2025.

India Coal Briquettes (HS 2701) 2025 January Import Background

What is HS Code 2701?

HS Code 2701 covers Coal; briquettes, ovoids and similar solid fuels manufactured from coal, including bituminous coal, coking coal, and steam coal. These products are critical for India’s energy and industrial sectors, particularly power generation and steel manufacturing, driving steady global demand. The category’s subheadings, such as 27011200 for bituminous coal, reflect its granular trade classification [ExportImportData].

Current Context and Strategic Position

As of January 2025, India’s coal briquettes (HS Code 2701) imports remain stable, with volumes reaching $2.15 billion in H1 2025, a 5.7% year-on-year increase, underscoring reliance on foreign supply to meet domestic energy needs [GTAIC]. Key suppliers like Indonesia and Russia dominate trade flows, though geopolitical factors and customs duties (e.g., exemptions under Notification 50-Customs/2017) require vigilance [SEAIR]. India’s strategic dependence on HS Code 2701 imports highlights the need for continuous monitoring of policy shifts and supply-chain risks in 2025.

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

Key Observations

India's Coal Briquettes HS Code 2701 Import for 2025 January registered a value of $2.94 billion, maintaining robust activity despite a reported weight of zero, which may reflect data reporting inconsistencies rather than actual trade cessation.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The $2.94 billion figure aligns with a 5.7% year-on-year growth in coal import values, as reported for H1 2025 [GTAIC]. This steady growth underscores sustained industrial and energy demand, typical for coal which faces perennial domestic supply gaps. The absence of weight data limits deeper volume analysis, but the value stability suggests consistent procurement cycles, likely driven by power sector needs and manufacturing fuel requirements.

External Context and Outlook

Policy stability under India’s existing customs duties for HS 2701 [Export Import Data] has facilitated uninterrupted inflows, with key partners like Indonesia and Russia remaining critical sources [yTrade]. Geopolitical factors and sanctions may influence future Russian coal access (GTAIC), but current demand fundamentals—rooted in India’s energy security strategy—support a steady import outlook for the remainder of 2025.

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

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, India's import of Coal Briquettes under HS Code 2701 in January 2025 is heavily concentrated on sub-code 27011920 for "Coal; other than anthracite and bituminous", which accounts for 48% of the import value and 65% of the quantity. This high volume share with lower value per unit indicates a focus on bulk, lower-grade coal imports.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The imports are grouped into three categories: non-anthracite/non-bituminous coal (sub-codes 27011920, 27011910, 27011990), anthracite (27011100), and bituminous coal (27011210, 27011290). This structure shows a trade in fungible bulk commodities, where prices are tied to global indices rather than value-added processing, emphasizing the commodity nature of India Coal Briquettes HS Code 2701 Import.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For India Coal Briquettes HS Code 2701 Import in 2025 January, the market implies limited pricing power for importers due to its commodity basis. [The Dollar Business] notes that coal is a top import item, with reliance on sources like Indonesia and Russia, requiring a strategic focus on securing stable supply chains amid global price fluctuations.

Check Detailed HS 2701 Breakdown

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

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In January 2025, India's import of Coal Briquettes under HS Code 2701 is heavily concentrated, with Australia leading in value share at 28.43%, despite a lower quantity share of 16.69%, indicating imports of higher-grade coal with a premium unit price. This value-quantity disparity points to Australia supplying superior quality coal, such as coking coal for industrial use, while Indonesia dominates quantity at 39.79% but has a lower value ratio of 25.01%, suggesting bulk, lower-cost thermal coal imports.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The import partners form three clusters: first, Australia, Russia, and South Africa, with value ratios exceeding or matching quantity ratios, likely due to exports of high-quality coal for steel and manufacturing. Second, Indonesia stands out with high volume but lower value ratio, driven by its abundant thermal coal reserves ideal for power generation. Third, smaller players like the United States and Mozambique contribute minimally, possibly due to logistical costs or niche market roles.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For supply chain stability, India should prioritize diversifying sources beyond key partners like Indonesia and Australia to mitigate geopolitical risks and balance quality needs. [GTAIC] notes steady import policies, supporting continued reliance on existing partners, but importers must monitor for any shifts in energy demand or trade dynamics to avoid disruptions.

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

Get Complete Partner Countries Profile

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

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

India's Coal Briquettes Import under HS Code 2701 in January 2025 is a commodity market. Prices are driven by coal grade and global supply risks. High-volume, low-cost thermal coal from Indonesia dominates quantity. Premium-grade coking coal from Australia commands higher prices. This creates a dual dependency on bulk thermal imports for power and quality coal for industry. Supply chains must prioritize secure, long-term contracts to manage geopolitical and price volatility risks.

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

• Target high-frequency, high-value buyers using trade data to negotiate multi-year contracts. This ensures stable revenue and reduces spot market exposure.
• Diversify sourcing beyond Indonesia and Australia by identifying new partners like Russia or South Africa. This mitigates supply disruption risks from any single country.
• Monitor coal grade preferences by analyzing import sub-codes (e.g., 27011920 for bulk coal). This allows alignment of product quality with buyer needs to maximize value.
• Track buyer transaction patterns to anticipate demand cycles and adjust inventory. This prevents overstocking or shortages during peak consumption periods.
• Leverage real-time trade intelligence to respond quickly to global price shifts or policy changes. This protects profit margins in a volatile commodity market.

Why Traditional Market Analysis Fails Here

Traditional methods rely on aggregated data. They miss critical details like buyer-specific purchase patterns or sub-code level grade variations. Without this granularity, importers cannot optimize pricing, secure the right coal quality, or build resilient supply chains. Data-driven trade intelligence is essential for profit in India's HS Code 2701 import market.

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 January?

India's coal briquettes import value grew 5.7% year-on-year to $2.94 billion, reflecting sustained industrial and energy demand. The market remains stable due to policy consistency and reliance on key suppliers like Indonesia and Russia, despite potential geopolitical risks.

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

Australia (28.43% value share) and Indonesia (25.01% value, 39.79% quantity) dominate, followed by Russia and South Africa. Australia supplies higher-grade coal, while Indonesia focuses on bulk thermal coal.

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

Price differences stem from coal grade variations. Australia’s premium-priced coking coal contrasts with Indonesia’s lower-cost thermal coal (sub-code 27011920), which accounts for 65% of import quantity but lower value per unit.

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

Importers should prioritize long-term contracts with high-value, high-frequency buyers (76.85% of market value) while diversifying sources to mitigate over-reliance on Indonesia and Australia.

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

Suppliers of high-grade coal (e.g., Australia, Russia) have stable demand, but bulk thermal coal exporters must compete on price. Niche players can target smaller buyer segments (5.95% value) for opportunistic deals.

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

Imported coal briquettes primarily fuel power generation and industrial processes, with lower-grade thermal coal meeting bulk energy needs and higher-grade coking coal supporting steel manufacturing.