Market dynamics: Could Europe become a more attractive market for Colombian exporters, limiting availability in the U.S. market?

摘要

Market dynamics are shifting dramatically in Europe and the result is likely to be less Colombian coal flowing into the U.S. market in 2006. For the first time in recent history, Hill's Spot Price Index tags the price of 8,400 Kcal/kg spot Colombian coal selling at dollar 57.40 in Europe, ahead of dollar 57.31 in the U.S. Currently the difference between the two prices is a matter of cents but problems in South Africa, combined with other conditions in Europe, could easily deepen the disparity in the weeks ahead.