Coal market in Slovenia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Slovenia's coal market volume showed moderate fluctuations. A revival of the national economy in 2018 spurred investments in modernizing and expanding industrial production capacity, which supported domestic coal output at around 3.2 million tons. Market volume reached 3.65 million tons in 2019. However, in 2020, despite the opening of new automated production lines in the automotive sector, coal imports fell, reducing the total market volume to 3.57 million tons even as domestic production slightly increased.

A sharp contraction followed in 2021, with coal production dropping to 2.8 million tons and market volume falling to 3.05 million tons. By 2022, while domestic production declined further to 2.75 million tons, a surge in imports lifted the market volume back to 3.2 million tons. During this period, broader industrial trends such as a focus on digitalization, automation, and the expansion of pharmaceutical production capacity indicated a structural shift in the economy, likely reducing reliance on traditional coal-intensive industries.

For 2023 and 2024, while comprehensive market volume data is unavailable, coal imports remained significant at 436 thousand tons in 2023 before collapsing to just 26 thousand tons in 2024. This drastic reduction aligns with specific policy measures: the postponed tender for restructuring coal regions, the allocation of over half a billion euros for green energy measures, the introduction of new electricity grid fee calculations, and evolving EU and Slovenian energy and climate legislation. These factors collectively redirected investment away from coal and towards renewable energy sources, sharply curbing coal demand.

Production coal in Slovenia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of coal, 2017-2020

World map of production of coal, 2017-2020

Coal production in Slovenia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Slovenia produced 3 259 K t of coal, reflecting a slight uptick of 1.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 2.9%, which equates to an annualized rate of 1.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 217 K t, with the largest decline of 4.1% occurring that same year.

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

Exports coal from Slovenia

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Coal exports from Slovenia reached their lowest point in 2019 at 2.3 K t, then peaked in 2017, showing a 16-fold variation between these years. In 2020, coal volumes leaving Slovenia amounted to 2.8 K t, which is 21.0% higher than in 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 92.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy accounted for 74.4% of Slovenia's total coal exports in kind, with the remaining flows distributed among a broad group of smaller countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. The period from 2017 to 2019 showed a peak-to-trough amplitude of 5.9 times. In 2020, exported coal volumes from Slovenia were recorded at 714 K $ US, which is 17.5% higher than the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 608 K $ US, with the largest decline of 78.2% occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Serbia, and Austria consistently remained the main destinations for Slovenia's coal exports in value terms. Italy accounted for 48.9% of exports, Serbia for 28.9%, and Austria for 6.9%, together making up 84.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports coal to Slovenia

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year gain, cross-border shipments of coal to Slovenia declined. In 2020, import volume amounted to 315.5 K t, constituting an abrupt decline of 27.2% compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 19.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 433.6 K t, with the largest increase of 6.3% occurring that same year.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports of coal to Slovenia in kind were almost completely tied to Indonesia, whose share amounted to 94.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year increase, imported coal volumes to Slovenia declined. In 2020, imports totaled 28 574 K $ US, constituting a sharp reduction of 44.5% compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 25.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 51 515 K $ US, with the largest increase of 19.5% occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, coal to Slovenia was shipped mainly from Indonesia, which absorbed 90.4% of total imports in value terms.

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

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