Coal market in Czechia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The coal market volume in Czechia reached 44 364 thousand tons in 2018, then declined to 42 340 thousand tons in 2019 and fell sharply to 33 482 thousand tons in 2020.

This sharp drop in 2020 was driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which reduced electricity demand and led to record-low gas prices, decreasing coal use in power generation. In 2021, the market grew by 3% to 34 528 thousand tons as high natural gas and electricity prices increased demand for coal as a substitute fuel. By 2022, market volume recovered further to 37 431 thousand tons.

Beyond 2022, reported factors included rising coal prices, pressure to reduce CO2 emissions, and regulatory changes such as the extension of the coal-to-gas replacement horizon to 2030 through the Modernization Fund.

Production coal in Czechia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, Czechia ranked as the 17th largest coal producer in the world, positioning it among the global leaders in this sector.

Top producers of coal, 2018-2021

World map of production of coal, 2018-2021

After two years of decline, coal production in Czechia increased in 2021. The country produced 31 513 K t of coal that year, which remained virtually unchanged from the 2020 level. Over the 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 27.2%, with an annualized decline rate of 10.0%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2020 at 31 366 K t, which also saw the largest annual decline of 22.8%.

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

Exports coal from Czechia

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, Czechia's coal exports increased in 2021. Exports reached 1 887 K t, representing a 38.6% year-over-year increase. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 34.2%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 13.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 1 361 K t, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 37.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for Czech coal exports were Slovakia (39.9% of export volume), Poland (21.4%), and Austria (14.3%). Together, these three countries accounted for 75.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market showed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.7-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Czech coal exports were valued at 293.7 million US dollars, marking a substantial 116.8% increase compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 135.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 48.9%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Slovakia (39.4% of export value), Poland (20.9%), and Austria (15.4%) formed the core markets for Czech coal exports by value. Collectively, these three countries represented 75.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports coal to Czechia

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of contraction, Czechia's coal imports increased in 2021. The country imported 4 902 K t of coal, corresponding to a 41.0% year-over-year rise. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 24.5%, with an annualized growth rate of 7.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 3 477 K t, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 11.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Poland dominated Czech coal imports by volume, accounting for 71.0% of total flows. Other markets played a less significant role in the import structure.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2021, with a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Czechia imported approximately 699.4 million US dollars worth of coal, representing a sharp 81.1% year-over-year increase. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 386.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 31.8%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Poland (65.1% of import value), Canada (10.0%), and the United States (9.7%) led the structure of Czech coal imports by value. Together, these three countries accounted for 84.8% of total import flows.

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

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