Market research

Coal market in Southern Asia

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Southern Asia" region includes following countries:

Afghanistan

Bangladesh

Bhutan

Sri Lanka

India

Iran

Maldives

Nepal

Pakistan

Earlier Report Observations

Coal production in Southern Asia experienced a slight decline from 782.8 million tonnes in 2018 to 763.9 million tonnes in 2020, with market size contracting similarly from 805.9 million tonnes to 793.8 million tonnes over the same period.

A strong recovery began in 2021, as production jumped to 837.4 million tonnes and further to 924.5 million tonnes in 2022. This growth trajectory continued, with output reaching 893.2 million tonnes in 2023 and approximately 997.8 million tonnes in 2024, supported by state-owned Coal India Ltd's efforts to enhance production capacity and reduce import reliance.

The expansion was driven by the Ministry of Coal's Star Rating Policy, which incentivized mine efficiency and safety, and the commissioning of new coking coal washeries to improve product quality. In 2024, a spike in imported coal prices due to the West Asia conflict made domestic coal more cost-competitive, shifting consumer preference and further bolstering local production.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2022
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2022
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Southern Asia
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Southern Asia in kind, 2018-2022, M t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2022
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2022, M t
  2. 5.2.2. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2022
  3. 5.2.3. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2022
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Afghanistan in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Afghanistan in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Afghanistan, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Afghanistan in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Afghanistan in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Afghanistan, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Afghanistan in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Afghanistan in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Afghanistan, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Afghanistan in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Afghanistan in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Afghanistan, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Afghanistan by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production coal in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

Top producers of coal, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of coal, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Coal production in Southern Asia declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 763.9 million tonnes of coal, representing a 2.2% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 782.8 million tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 7.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	7.1%	(0.2%)	(2.2%)	1.5%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports coal from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for coal from Southern Asia experienced significant volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, coal exports from the region totaled 433 thousand tonnes, marking a 31.0% decline from the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 627 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 140.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	44.3%	140.1%	(31.0%)	33.7%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China, Turkey, and Malaysia were the main destinations for coal exports from Southern Asia. Together, they accounted for 21.0% of total exports in volume terms, with China representing 9.7%, Turkey 8.4%, and Malaysia 2.9%.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Coal export values from Southern Asia showed noticeable fluctuations over the period. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2019, with an 8.1-fold gap between these years. In 2020, the region's coal exports amounted to 44 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp decline of 40.9% compared to the prior year. The maximum value was reached in 2019 at 74 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 335.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	86.2%	335.6%	(40.9%)	68.6%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017–2020, China, Turkey, and Malaysia were the largest buyers of coal from Southern Asia in value terms. Together, they formed 12.9% of total export value, with China accounting for 8.1%, Turkey for 2.9%, and Malaysia for 1.9%.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports coal to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Coal imports into Southern Asia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported 30 340 thousand tonnes of coal, which is 8.2% higher than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 77.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 21.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	36.4%	19.9%	8.2%	21.0%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the import structure for coal in Southern Asia was dominated by South Africa and Indonesia. Together, these two countries accounted for 85.2% of total import volumes, while other markets contributed smaller shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of coal imports into Southern Asia declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 2 164 million US dollars, down by 7.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import values increased by 19.4%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 6.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 425 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 33.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	33.8%	(3.5%)	(7.6%)	6.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Over the period 2017–2020, South Africa and Indonesia were the dominant suppliers of coal to Southern Asia in value terms. Together, they accounted for 80.7% of total import value, with other destinations each representing relatively small shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io