KIEV, July 21 - Ukraine will import anthracite coal from South Africa to offset shortages of domestically produced coal, Energy and Coal Industry Minister Volodymyr Demchyshyn said Tuesday.

Ukraine needs to import up to 4 million metric tons of anthracite this year in order to smoothly pass through the 6-month high-demand season that is due to begin on October 15, according to Demchyshyn.