Coal market in Kazakhstan

Earlier Report Observations

The coal market volume in Kazakhstan stood at 88.0 million tons in 2018. Over the next two years, it declined to 80.1 million tons by 2020. This contraction was initially expected due to forecasts of lower demand, and was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which reduced consumption and disrupted logistics.

Market volume recovered to 87.4 million tons in 2022. Antitrust price controls helped stabilize the domestic market, while the European Union's embargo on Russian coal opened new export avenues for Kazakh producers, supporting a rise in production. Simultaneously, the commissioning of new solar power plants began to alter the energy mix.

In 2023, coal production decreased as household use of solid fuels fell due to the ongoing gasification policy. By 2024, coal imports had increased to 1.0 million tons, while exports remained elevated but saw a slight reduction, reflecting ongoing shifts in global trade patterns.

Production coal in Kazakhstan

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

Kazakhstan was among the world's top coal producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking 10th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of coal, 2017-2020

World map of production of coal, 2017-2020

Coal production in Kazakhstan declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 109.5 million tonnes of coal, representing a slight drop of 1.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 3.0%, while the peak production was recorded in 2018 at 114.1 million tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 5.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, Kazakhstan's coal production value declined. In 2020, coal output was valued at 1 565 million US dollars, marking a decrease of 24.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value fell by 10%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 084 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 17.3%.

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

Exports coal from Kazakhstan

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decrease, coal exports from Kazakhstan increased. In 2020, exports reached 30 110 thousand tonnes, up by 16.5% year-on-year. The lowest level was recorded in 2019 at 25 840 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 9.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia remained the dominant partner for Kazakhstan's coal exports in volume terms, accounting for 78.5% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Kazakhstan's coal export value declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 430.3 million US dollars, down by 11.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 10.3%, with a CAGR of -3.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 486.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 1.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Kazakhstan's coal exports in value terms were Russia (52.3% of total export value), Ukraine (17.1%), and Switzerland (12.9%), collectively accounting for 82.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports coal to Kazakhstan

Imports in kind, K t

There were noticeable fluctuations in coal import volumes to Kazakhstan during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, showing a 5.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign coal supplies to Kazakhstan totaled 713 thousand tonnes, which is 1.0% less than the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 833 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline occurring in 2019 at 13.6% and the largest increase in 2018 at 421.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia effectively monopolized coal imports to Kazakhstan in volume terms, accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Volatility characterized coal import values to Kazakhstan during these years. Imports were at their lowest in 2017 and reached their highest in 2019, reflecting a 3.6-fold gap. In 2020, Kazakhstan imported 71.8 million US dollars worth of coal, constituting a drop of 18.2% versus the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 87.7 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 233.5%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Kazakhstan's dependence on Russia was pronounced in import value terms, with this market accounting for 99.7% of total coal imports.

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

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