China 's coal imports in July fell 5.9% on year to 13.09 million metric tons, data issued Monday by the General Administration of Customs showed.

Coal imports in August may ease further, as the country's demand is affected by a slowdown in economic growth and domestic power plants currently have sufficient coal stocks.

China imported a total of 94.2 million tons of coal in the January-July period, up 53% on year, the data showed.

The on-year growth of accumulated coal imports in previous months has been declining--from 71% in June, 114% in May, and 155% in April.

China 's July power consumption rose only 14% on year, the lowest on-year growth so far this year, according to data from National Energy Administration issued earlier.

Coal inventories in the country's major power plants were sufficient to supply 18 days at a regular base in early August when high temperatures hit the country, National Development and Reform Commission said in a statement earlier.

In China's key shipping port of Qinhuangdao, Datong Quality Mix coal with a calorific value of 5800 kilocalories a kilogram fell CNY5 on week to CNY765-CNY775/ton ($112.5-$114) as of Monday, while Shanxi Quality Mix coal with a calorific value of 5500 kcal/kg was CNY5 lower at CNY720-CNY730/ton ($105.9-$107.4), according to the China Coal Transportation and Distribution Association.

In comparison, Australian coal at the port of Newcastle, a regional benchmark, was assessed last Friday at $87.79/ton by globalCOAL, up 0.1% on week, but much lower than $97.06/ton in early July.

If regional coal prices continue to fall sharply while domestic prices remain steady, it will likely lead to greater imports.

The customs administration confirmed that China 's coal exports in July reached 1.39 million tons, implying net coal imports of 11.7 million tons for the month.

China 's coke imports in July also fell 50% on year to 13,579 tons, the data showed.

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