European Report said the statistics showed United Kingdom and Germany were mainly responsible for the drop. United Kingdom output fell 9.2%, followed by Germany at 6.5%.

EU coal consumption was down by 7.8% compared to 2001. Coal imports also plummeted in 2002, down 11%.

European report said South Africa remained the EU’s main supplier, with more than 25% of the market, followed by Australia, Colombia and Poland.

Coke imports however bucked the trend and increased by a third compared to 2001 to achieve 9.5 million tonnes.