July 22 (Reuters) – South African petrochemicals company Sasol increased coal exports by 5% in the year to June 30, driven by improved freight rail performance and higher production at its Thubelisha colliery, it said on Monday.

A production update from the world’s biggest producer of fuels and chemicals from coal and gas said that it exported 2.1 million tons of coal during its financial year, up from 2 million tons previously.

The company, however, reported a 2% dip in coal production to 30.2 million metric tons from 30.8 million tons the previous year, mainly owing to a reduction to its mining operations.

Output from Sasol’s Secunda operations, where the company produces synthetic fuels and chemicals from coal, was flat at 7 million tons.

Revenue from the chemicals business declined 13% to $7.86 billion, mainly because of lower prices.

Sasol releases its financial results on Aug. 20.

(Reporting by Nelson Banya; Editing by David Goodman)