Market research

Coal market in Brazil

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2022, Brazil's coal market volume showed notable fluctuations, declining from 34.2 million tonnes in 2018 to 29.9 million tonnes in 2022. The initial decrease in 2019 coincided with a reported reduction in charcoal production, while the COVID-19 pandemic introduced additional challenges to the sector in 2020, contributing to a further contraction.

A rebound occurred in 2021, with market volume climbing to 34.4 million tonnes. This growth was driven by sharply rising global coal prices, which increased costs for the domestic steel industry and stimulated higher domestic production and imports. However, in 2022, an extreme surge in the price of imported coal led to a significant drop in imports, causing the overall market volume to shrink once more.

Beyond 2022, import data through 2025 indicates a continued gradual decline. This trend aligns with the sustained high global price environment and a broader industry shift toward sustainability, evidenced by the rising valuation of charcoal sourced from planted forests. Regulatory changes focusing on environmental policy and indirect pressure from robust Asian demand also influenced the market's trajectory.

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, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2022
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Brazil
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in kind, 2018-2022, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in value, 2018-2022, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2022
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2022, K 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, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Brazil by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Brazil by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 Brazil, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Brazil by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Brazil by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Brazil by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 Brazil, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Brazil by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Brazil by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Brazil by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 Brazil, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Brazil by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Brazil by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Brazil by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 Brazil, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Brazil by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
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 Brazil

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil maintained the 28th position globally in terms of coal production volume.

Top producers of coal, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of coal, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Following a two-year decline, Brazil's coal production rebounded. In 2021, the country produced 12 071 K t of coal, marking a sharp year-on-year increase of 31.8%. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 15.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 9 158 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 10.0% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(10.0%)	(2.9%)	31.8%	4.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports coal from Brazil

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2021 and peaked in 2020, with a 27-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Brazil exported 1 K t of coal, showing a sharp year-on-year decrease of 96.2%. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2020 at 15 K t, with the largest increase occurring that same year at 1 239.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	61.7%	1 239.7%	(96.2%)	(6.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands remained the dominant destination for Brazil's coal exports in kind, accounting for 83.9% of total flows, while the remainder was fragmented across other markets.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Noticeable fluctuations characterized the market during this period. The highest export value was registered in 2019, while the lowest occurred in 2021, reflecting a 1.9-fold gap. In 2021, Brazil's coal exports amounted to 0.3 M $ US, constituting a sharp 36.9% decline compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 M $ US, with the largest increase that year reaching 70.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	70.8%	(14.5%)	(36.9%)	(2.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Argentina (51.3% of exports in value terms), Norway (19.4%), and the Netherlands (16.2%) were the principal destinations for Brazil's coal exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 87.0% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports coal to Brazil

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decrease, Brazil's coal import volumes increased. In 2021, imports stood at 22 362 K t, representing a 25.2% uptick from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 5.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 17 859 K t, with the largest decline that year at 15.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(11.0%)	(15.4%)	25.2%	(1.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, the United States (31.3% of imports in kind), Colombia (24.2%), and Australia (20.8%) led as the main suppliers of coal to Brazil, with their combined share reaching 76.4% of total imports in kind.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes peaked in 2018 and sank to their lowest point in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 2 times. In 2021, Brazil imported a total of value_last_year M $ US of coal, marking a sharp rise of 74.7% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 1 817 M $ US, with the largest decline that year at 42.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(14.6%)	(42.1%)	74.7%	(4.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, three main markets — the United States, Australia, and Colombia — together absorbed 77.0% of total imports in value terms of coal to Brazil.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io