Coal market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Coal production in Eastern Asia rose from 3.8 billion metric tons in 2018 to 4.6 billion metric tons in 2022, with market volume expanding from 4.3 billion metric tons to 5.2 billion metric tons over the same period. This growth was primarily driven by continuous capacity expansions, as new coal mines were commissioned and outdated facilities were phased out under supply-side structural reforms. The elimination of backward capacity helped improve industry efficiency, while approved capacity increases allowed more output to reach the market.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 temporarily constrained supplier operations, but accelerated intelligentization and digitalization of coal mining helped maintain production growth. Subsequently, tight supply-demand conditions pushed coal prices to a peak in 2021, prompting further capacity approvals and the strengthening of long-term contracts for power coal to stabilize the market and support output.

From 2022 onward, coal capacity continued to be released, and the production重心 shifted toward central and western regions. Investments in intelligent mining systems and digital platforms supported steady output, with coal production reaching record levels by 2024 amid balanced supply and demand, sustained by ongoing capacity approvals and digital transformation.

Production coal in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

Top producers of coal, 2017-2020

World map of production of coal, 2017-2020

Eastern Asia's coal production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 3 966 million tonnes of coal, which is 1.1% more than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 10.3%, representing an annualized growth rate of 3.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, B $ US

After two years of growth, Eastern Asia's coal production value declined. In 2020, coal output was valued at 385.1 billion US dollars, a significant decrease of 23.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 17.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 505.9 billion US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 4.5%.

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

Exports coal from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, M t

Following two years of growth, coal export volumes from Eastern Asia declined. In 2020, exports totaled 26.4 million tonnes, a substantial decrease of 15.2% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 2.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 31.1 million tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 12.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for coal exports in kind were Asia, not elsewhere specified (1.1% of exports), Singapore (1.1% of exports), and Indonesia (1.0% of exports). Together, these three markets accounted for 3.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of coal exports from Eastern Asia declined. In 2020, exports stood at 2 563 million US dollars, down by 36.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 23.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 8.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 014 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 11.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, coal from Eastern Asia was exported to a wide range of markets. Asia, not elsewhere specified (2.1% of exports in value terms), Indonesia (1.8% of exports), and the United Kingdom (1.1% of exports) together accounted for only 5.0% of total export value. The remaining 95.0% was distributed among numerous smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports coal to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, M t

In 2020, Eastern Asia's coal imports totaled 599.3 million tonnes, showing a modest reduction of 4.3% compared to 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 595.0 million tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 626.2 million tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 5.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for coal imports in kind were Australia, Indonesia, and Russia. Together, they accounted for 83.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Coal imports to Eastern Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported a total of 46 064 million US dollars worth of coal, down by 25.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 25%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 67 738 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 10.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia (47.5% of imports in value terms), Indonesia (20.3% of imports), and Russia (12.8% of imports) together absorbed 80.6% of total coal import value to Eastern Asia, making them the primary sources.

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

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