The Philippines' coal imports fell in July from the previous month but remained above year-earlier levels, preliminary customs data showed.

Imports totaled 3.02 million tonnes in July, up 7.15% year on year but down 14.89% from a month earlier, according to preliminary data. In the same month last year, imports stood at 2.82 million tonnes, while the previous month saw 3.55 million tonnes.

During January-July, the Philippines imported 22.26 million tonnes of coal, up 2.15% from 21.79 million tonnes in the same period a year earlier.

Indonesia remained the largest supplier in July, with imports reaching 2.98 million tonnes, down 16.22% month on month but up 5.85% year on year, accounting for 98.41% of total imports. January-July imports from Indonesia totaled 21.99 million tonnes, up 1.49% year on year.

By coal type, other coal (non-coking, non-anthracite) accounted for the largest share in July at 2.95 million tonnes, down 16.13% from the previous month but up 5.88% year on year. Cumulative imports of other coal in January-July reached 21.61 million tonnes, up 1.56% year on year.

The divergent trend in July — higher year on year but lower month on month — was driven by two factors. On one hand, the onset of the rainy season and typhoon-prone period in July reduced cooling demand as temperatures dropped, while higher hydropower output squeezed coal-fired generation. Ample inventories at power plants following earlier stockpiling further dampened end-user buying interest, weighing on monthly volumes.

On the other hand, imports still exceeded year-earlier levels, supported by rigid growth in power demand from macroeconomic development and a low base in the same period last year.