Coal market in South-eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the coal market volume in South-eastern Asia grew steadily from 341.0 million metric tons to 416.1 million metric tons, followed by a contraction to 395.6 million metric tons in 2021.

The market rebounded sharply in 2022, reaching 483.8 million metric tons. This surge was primarily driven by the increasing use of coal for electricity generation across the Asia-Pacific region and the emergence of liquid coal as a new product segment, which offered advantages in transportation and storage.

Global coal demand hit record levels in 2023, supporting regional market activity. By 2024, coal prices fell significantly due to the rapid expansion of renewable power generation and moderated economic activity, influencing market conditions in South-eastern Asia.

Production coal in South-eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

Top producers of coal, 2017-2020

World map of production of coal, 2017-2020

Coal production in South-eastern Asia declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the region produced 639.4 million tonnes of coal, marking an 8.2% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 20.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 696.5 million tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 18.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Coal production in South-eastern Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 32 735 million US dollars, representing an 11.6% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 6.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 39 289 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 28.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports coal from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, M t

After two years of growth, coal exports from South-eastern Asia declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 329.0 million tonnes, reflecting a significant reduction of 21.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 10.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 3.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 420.9 million tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 7.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for coal exports from South-eastern Asia in terms of volume were China, accounting for 31.7% of exports, India with 25.0%, and South Korea at 7.8%. Together, these three countries represented 64.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Coal exports from South-eastern Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 16 844 million US dollars, corresponding to a 24.8% decrease compared to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 20.3%, with a compound annual decline rate of 7.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 24 620 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 16.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China led the structure of coal exports in value terms with 26.7%, followed by India at 21.7%, and Japan at 11.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for 59.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports coal to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, M t

In 2020, coal imports to South-eastern Asia registered 105.7 million tonnes, showing a robust increase of 19.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 53.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 15.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 16.1%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 53.3%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports of coal to South-eastern Asia in terms of volume were not heavily concentrated. Australia accounted for 24.2% of imports, Russia for 8.3%, and South Africa for 2.6%, with these three countries together capturing only 35.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, cross-border shipments of coal to South-eastern Asia reached 10 115 million US dollars, remaining stable compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 28.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 10 207 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 1.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 29.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of coal imports in value terms remained highly diversified. Australia accounted for 30.3% of imports, Russia for 9.7%, and South Africa for 2.0%, with these three countries together representing only 42.0% of total flows. The remaining 58.0% was formed by a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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