NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India’s thermal coal imports fell for three straight months for the first time in over two years, government data reviewed by Reuters show, as an economic slowdown stifled demand from industries such as cement and sponge iron.

Imports of thermal coal – used mainly for electricity generation – fell 10.7% to 15.62 million tonnes in October.

Still, thermal coal imports during the ten months ended Oct 30 was 12.6% higher at 163.86 million tonnes, the data compiled by the Ministry of Coal showed, despite registering a decline during the months of August, September and October.