Coal market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Germany's coal production fell from 169 million tons to 107 million tons, while total market volume dropped from 212 million tons to 136 million tons. This contraction was driven by the federal government's legislated decision to phase out coal by 2038, which set a long-term reduction trajectory. The decline accelerated in 2020 when the COVID-19 crisis lowered electricity demand and legal feed-in priorities for renewable energy further reduced coal-fired power generation.

Production recovered to 131 million tons by 2022, with market volume reaching 172 million tons. A key driver in 2022 was a 17.2% rise in coal-based power generation in the first half of the year, as sharply higher natural gas prices made coal a more competitive fuel for electricity production, temporarily offsetting the phase-out trend.

After 2022, coal imports fell from 43 million tons in 2022 to 25 million tons in 2024. Coal-fired electricity generation dropped to its lowest level since 2018 in the first half of 2024, declining by over a quarter, as renewable energy sources covered a record 61.5% of power generation. The government reinforced the coal phase-out policy, supported by global commitments like the G7 decision to move away from fossil fuels.

Production coal in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

Germany ranked 8th globally in coal production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of coal, 2017-2020

World map of production of coal, 2017-2020

Germany's coal production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 107.4 million tonnes of coal, marking an 18.2% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 38.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's coal production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 11 681 million US dollars, representing a 23.1% loss compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 43.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 20 887 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 27.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 0.5%.

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

Exports coal from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany exported 1 578 thousand tonnes of coal in 2020, showing an 11.6% drop compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 5.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.9%. The peak was in 2019 at 1 784 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase also in 2019 at 7.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Austria, and Poland were the main destinations for Germany's coal exports in kind, accounting for 21.4%, 15.7%, and 15.4% of exports, respectively. Together, they represented 52.5% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year uptick, Germany's coal exports declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 172 million US dollars, which is 16.8% weaker than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 13.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 206 million US dollars, with the largest increase in 2018 at 3.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Poland, and Austria were the main destinations for Germany's coal exports in value terms, accounting for 20.0%, 15.5%, and 15.4% of exports, respectively. Together, they made up 51.0% of total exports.

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

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

Imports coal to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's coal imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 29 945 thousand tonnes, indicating a sharp loss of 27.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 38.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 15.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, the United States, and Australia were the main sources for Germany's coal imports in kind, accounting for 44.1%, 20.1%, and 11.8% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 76.0% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's imported coal volumes declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 2 733 million US dollars, reflecting a 40.5% year-over-year drop. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 53.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 22.4%.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, Russia, the United States, and Australia were the main sources for Germany's coal imports in value terms, accounting for 35.2%, 21.4%, and 20.8% of imports, respectively. Together, they absorbed 77.3% of total imports.

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

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