Coal market in Australia and New Zealand

Earlier Report Observations

Coal production in Australia and New Zealand increased from 505.8 млн т in 2018 to 527.0 млн т in 2019, driven by the entry of new players and expansion of production facilities to meet growing electricity and industrial demand, particularly in steel and cement sectors. Policy measures focusing on energy security and regulatory support for domestic production further facilitated this expansion.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused a sharp drop in production to 489.7 млн т as global demand fluctuated. Production continued to decline, reaching 454.4 млн т in 2022, due to tightening environmental regulations and emissions standards that discouraged coal use, alongside a gradual shift in consumer preferences toward lower-emission energy sources. Supply chain disruptions also contributed to the downturn. Despite falling output, the domestic market volume stabilized at around 116 млн т in 2021-2022, indicating resilient local consumption.

In subsequent years, state-owned companies maintained significant influence while new players entered the metallurgical coal segment to serve steel industry demand. Regulatory changes, including stricter carbon reduction targets and adjustments to export quotas, continued to shape the market, with a growing emphasis on cleaner coal technologies and enhanced traceability through labeling requirements.

Production coal in Australia and New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, M t

Top producers of coal, 2018-2021

World map of production of coal, 2018-2021

Coal production in Australia and New Zealand fell for the second year in a row. In 2021, output reached 483.0 million tonnes, marking a 1.4% decrease from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production dropped by 4.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.5%. The peak was in 2019 at 527.0 million tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 4.2%. The sharpest decline occurred in 2020, with a 7.1% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, M t

Exports coal from Australia and New Zealand

Exports in kind, M t

Coal exports from Australia and New Zealand declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, shipments totaled 367.1 million tonnes, showing a slight decrease of 1.3% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 4.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.7%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 396.1 million tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 2.6%. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, with a 6.1% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, M t

From 2018 to 2021, Japan, China, and India remained the top buyers of coal from Australia and New Zealand. Japan accounted for 29.7% of exports in volume, China for 16.8%, and India for 14.8%. Together, these three countries made up 61.3% of total coal exports.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, coal export revenues from Australia and New Zealand rebounded. In 2021, exports reached 46 666 million US dollars, surging by 54.2% from the previous year. However, over the 2018-2021 period, export values decreased by 6.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.1%. The lowest point was in 2020 at 30 268 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 31.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In terms of value from 2018 to 2021, Japan, India, and China continued to be the leading markets for coal exports from Australia and New Zealand. Japan represented 28.9% of export value, India 17.7%, and China 15.4%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 62.0% of total export revenues.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021

Imports coal to Australia and New Zealand

Imports in kind, M t

Coal imports into Australia and New Zealand showed significant volatility during this period. The lowest volume was in 2018, while the peak occurred in 2019, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2021, imports amounted to 0.2 million tonnes, a sharp decrease of 46.9% year-over-year. The maximum was recorded in 2019 at 0.3 million tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 91.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, M t

From 2018 to 2021, coal imports into Australia and New Zealand were widely distributed across various countries. Russia led with 19.8% of imports in volume, followed by Indonesia at 15.6% and Colombia at 11.4%. Together, these three sources represented only 46.8% of total import flows, indicating a diverse supply base.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Coal import spending in Australia and New Zealand fell for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports totaled 33 million US dollars, a significant drop of 19.8% from 2020. The highest value was in 2019 at 55 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 66.7%. The most notable decline occurred in 2020, with a 25.6% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

An analysis of import values from 2018 to 2021 reveals a broad distribution across multiple markets. Russia accounted for 18.7% of import value, Colombia for 16.7%, and Indonesia for 9.8%. Together, these three countries made up only 45.2% of total import spending, with the remaining 54.8% coming from various other partners.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021