Coal market in Canada

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, Canada's domestic coal market volume fell from 28 383 thousand tonnes to 15 142 thousand tonnes. This decline was primarily driven by policy measures accelerating the phase‑out of coal‑fired electricity. In 2018, amended emissions regulations for coal plants and a policy statement speeding up the closure of thermal coal projects by 2030 began reducing demand for thermal coal. Provincial phase‑out plans, such as those in Alberta and Manitoba, continued to suppress domestic consumption in the following years.

The transition away from coal intensified by 2023‑2024. The last coal‑fired power plant in Alberta was fully converted to natural gas in June 2024, virtually ending sub‑bituminous coal production in the province. Meanwhile, thermal coal export volumes rose to 19.5 million tonnes in 2024 – the highest level in a decade – supported by strong Asian demand, which partially offset the shrinking domestic market. Regulatory uncertainty for new coal projects following a 2023 Supreme Court ruling and pressure from low coal prices further shaped industry dynamics during this period.

Production coal in Canada

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Canada ranked 13th globally in coal production.

Top producers of coal, 2017-2020

World map of production of coal, 2017-2020

Canada's coal production declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 40 792 K t of coal, which was 21.3% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 33%, with an average annual decrease of 12.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Canada in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Canada's coal production value also dropped for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 4 360 M $ US, marking a sharp 42.3% decline compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 57.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 24.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Canada in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports coal from Canada

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Canada's coal exports declined. In 2020, exports totaled 31 915 K t, a significant 12.9% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 2.7%, with an average annual growth of 0.9%. The peak was in 2019 at 36 632 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 8.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Canada in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of Canadian coal by volume were South Korea (23.6% of exports), Japan (23.5%), and China (13.4%), together accounting for 60.5% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Canada's coal export value fell for the second straight year. In 2020, exports were valued at 3 411 M $ US, a 36.2% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value dropped by 34.7%, with an annualized decline of 13.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 811 M $ US, and the largest increase also occurred in 2018 at 11.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top destinations for Canadian coal by value were Japan (25.3% of exports), South Korea (21.0%), and India (12.3%), collectively making up 58.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports coal to Canada

Imports in kind, K t

Coal imports into Canada showed volatility during this period. In 2020, imports totaled 6 191 K t, down 22.8% from the previous year. The peak was in 2019 at 8 017 K t, while the lowest point was in 2017, resulting in a 3.9-fold swing between these years. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 269.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Canada in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Colombia together accounted for 96.1% of Canada's coal imports by volume, with other countries contributing a smaller, more diversified share.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Canada's coal import value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 568 M $ US, a 23.5% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value fell by 15%, with an annualized rate of 5.3%. The highest value was in 2018 at 797 M $ US, and the largest increase also occurred in 2018 at 19.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated Canada's coal imports by value, accounting for 78.6% of the total, while the remainder was distributed among various smaller sources.

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

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