Market research

Coal market in Western Europe

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

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Research period: 2017-2025

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"Western Europe" region includes following countries:

Austria

Belgium

France

Germany

Liechtenstein

Luxembourg

Monaco

the Netherlands

Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The coal market in Western Europe contracted by over a third from 239 million t in 2018 to 154 million t in 2020. This sharp decline was driven by the EU's consistent climate policy, including the end of subsidies for coal mining and Germany's decision to phase out coal-fired power generation by 2038. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a drop in overall electricity demand, further reducing coal consumption and accelerating the closure of coal-fired power plants.

The market partially recovered from 2021, reaching 190 million t in 2022. This rebound was largely due to a sharp increase in natural gas prices, which made coal relatively more competitive for power generation in the short term. In the first half of 2022, coal-based electricity generation in Germany even rose by 17.2% compared to the previous year, despite the long-term phase-out plan.

Following 2022, the downward trend resumed, evidenced by declining coal imports into the region. The accelerated expansion of wind and solar power, which made renewables the leading source of electricity in Germany, along with political commitments such as the G7 agreement to phase out coal by 2035, continued to pressure the Western European coal market.

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 Western Europe
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Western Europe 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. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Austria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Austria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Austria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Austria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Austria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Austria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Austria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Austria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Austria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Austria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Austria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Austria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Austria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Austria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Austria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Austria 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 Western Europe

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

Western Europe's coal production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 107.4 million tonnes of coal, representing a significant decline of 18.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 38.7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 15.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(3.5%)	(22.3%)	(18.2%)	(15.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Western Europe's coal production volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 12 924 million US dollars, showing a steep decline of 33.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 47.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 19.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(2.2%)	(19.1%)	(33.7%)	(19.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports coal from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, Western Europe's coal exports increased in 2020. Exports reached 6 046 thousand tonnes, which is 7.4% higher than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 25.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 5 632 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline of 25.0% occurring that year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(7.0%)	(25.0%)	7.4%	(9.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, coal exports from Western Europe were not concentrated on a few key markets. Poland (3.2% of exports in kind), Czechia (2.6%), and Norway (2.0%) together accounted for only 7.8% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Western Europe's coal export volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 728 million US dollars worth of coal, down by 12.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 35.9%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 13.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(5.7%)	(21.9%)	(12.9%)	(13.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

The market base for exports in value terms was broad from 2017 to 2020. Poland (3.8% of exports in value terms), Norway (3.2%), and Czechia (2.7%) jointly accounted for just 9.8% of total flows, with the remaining 90.2% distributed among numerous other countries.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports coal to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Western Europe's coal import volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 52 764 thousand tonnes, reflecting a steep drop of 26.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 43.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -17.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(16.9%)	(8.0%)	(26.2%)	(17.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Russia (38.8% of imports in kind), the United States (17.1%), and Australia (13.9%) were the key partners for imports in kind, together accounting for 69.7% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Western Europe's imported coal volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported approximately 5 301 million US dollars of coal, marking a sharp reduction of 40.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 55.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -23.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(1.3%)	(24.5%)	(40.6%)	(23.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Russia (30.6% of imports in value terms), Australia (22.7%), and the United States (18.6%) remained the leading destinations in the import structure by value, with a combined share of 72.0% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io