Market research

Coal market in Asia

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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"Asia" region includes following countries:

China

Hong Kong

Japan

North Korea

South Korea

Macao

Mongolia

Afghanistan

Bangladesh

Bhutan

Sri Lanka

India

Iran

Maldives

Nepal

Pakistan

Brunei Darussalam

Myanmar

Cambodia

Indonesia

Laos

Malaysia

the Philippines

Timor-Leste

Singapore

Vietnam

Thailand

Kazakhstan

Kyrgyzstan

Tajikistan

Turkmenistan

Uzbekistan

Azerbaijan

Armenia

Bahrain

Cyprus

Georgia

Palestine

Iraq

Israel

Jordan

Kuwait

Lebanon

Oman

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

Syria

Turkey

the United Arab Emirates

Yemen

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, Asia's coal market volume grew from 5.8 billion metric tons to 7.1 billion metric tons. This expansion was driven by an increase in domestic coal mining capacity and industry restructuring that phased out inefficient assets. Capacity controls coupled with rising energy demand led to a sharp increase in coal prices by 2021, significantly boosting sector profitability. The shift of production towards more efficient central and western regions further supported higher output.

After the price peak, the market began to adjust in 2023 as the coal industry faced downward price pressure and inventory accumulation. Industry profits declined, but restructuring continued with a focus on eliminating outdated capacity and developing smart mines. In 2024, supply and demand became more balanced, with record coal imports and slower growth in domestic production, while digitization and the construction of energy industry internet platforms accelerated sector modernization.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2022
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2022
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Asia
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Asia in kind, 2018-2022, M t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2022
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2022, M t
  2. 5.2.2. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2022
  3. 5.2.3. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2022
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, M t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in kind, 2018-2024, M t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to China by countries, 2018-2024, M t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, B $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in value, 2018-2024, B $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to China by countries, 2018-2024, B $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to China, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to China by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, M t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in kind, 2018-2024, M t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to China by countries, 2018-2024, M t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, B $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in value, 2018-2024, B $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to China by countries, 2018-2024, B $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to China, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to China by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, M t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in kind, 2018-2024, M t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from China by countries, 2018-2024, M t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, B $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in value, 2018-2024, B $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from China by countries, 2018-2024, B $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from China, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from China by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, M t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in kind, 2018-2024, M t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from China by countries, 2018-2024, M t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, B $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in value, 2018-2024, B $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from China by countries, 2018-2024, B $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from China, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from China by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, M t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, B $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, M t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, B $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production coal in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

Top producers of coal, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of coal, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Asia's coal production volume declined after a two-year rise. In 2019, production reached its peak at 5,615 million tonnes, but by 2020 it had fallen slightly to 5,574 million tonnes, representing a 0.7% decrease. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 10.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018, at 6.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in kind, 2017-2020, M t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.8%	3.9%	(0.7%)	3.3%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, B $ US

Asia's coal production value declined after a two-year increase. In 2019, output peaked at 3,166 billion US dollars, but in 2020 it dropped to 2,323 billion US dollars, marking a significant decrease of 26.6% compared to the previous year. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2018, at 29.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in value, 2017-2020, B $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	29.6%	5.3%	(26.6%)	0.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports coal from Asia

Exports in kind, M t

Coal exports from Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, exports reached their maximum at 259.4 million tonnes, but by 2020 they had fallen sharply to 76.2 million tonnes, representing an intense drop of 69.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 69.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 32.9%. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2018, at 2.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Asia in kind, 2017-2020, M t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.9%	(3.2%)	(69.7%)	(32.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the key buyers of coal from Asia were Russia and Asia, not elsewhere specified, whose combined share reached 8.2% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Asia's coal export value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, exports peaked at 28,748 million US dollars, but by 2020 they had decreased to 19,917 million US dollars, down by 26.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 20.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.3%. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2018, at 15.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	15.0%	(6.1%)	(26.2%)	(7.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Asia, not elsewhere specified and Russia together accounted for the main share of exports in value terms, at 5.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Asia in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports coal to Asia

Imports in kind, M t

Asia's coal import volume declined after a two-year increase. In 2019, imports reached their maximum at 672.6 million tonnes, but in 2020 they were broadly stable at approximately 671.3 million tonnes. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 4.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.4%. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2018, at 2.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Asia in kind, 2017-2020, M t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.7%	1.6%	(0.2%)	1.4%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Australia (33.0% of imports in kind), Russia (13.0% of imports in kind), and Canada (3.3% of imports in kind) formed the largest group of suppliers of coal to Asia, but their combined contribution was limited to 49.4% of total imports in kind, reflecting a diversified country structure.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Coal imports to Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports reached their peak at 86,175 million US dollars, but by 2020 they had fallen to 62,079 million US dollars, constituting a decrease of 20.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 18.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.7%. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2018, at 12.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	12.7%	(8.9%)	(20.9%)	(6.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Australia (41.4% of imports in value terms), Russia (13.3% of imports in value terms), and Canada (5.3% of imports in value terms) remained the key partners in imports in value terms, together accounting for 59.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Asia in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io