Coal market Turkey

Earlier Report Observations

Turkey's coal market volume declined from 137 million tons in 2018 to 126.6 million tons in 2020, before recovering to 129 million tons in 2021 and reaching 139.5 million tons in 2022. The significant growth in 2022 was primarily driven by energy policy shifts that increased coal's share in electricity generation to 37%, alongside a reduction in natural gas usage.

Throughout the period, state-owned enterprises Türkiye Kömür İşletmeleri Kurumu (TKİ) and Türkiye Taşkömürü Kurumu (TTK) maintained a dominant role in coal production and marketing, managing reserves and sales operations. Their consistent presence helped stabilize domestic supply despite fluctuations in market demand.

Coal imports remained a key component of the market, with Russia's share rising to 58% of Turkey's coal imports in 2022. This shift in sourcing coincided with Turkey's broader move toward becoming Europe's largest coal-burning country, a trend that continued into 2023 and 2024 as imports further increased to over 40 million tons.

Production coal Turkey

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey ranked 11th globally in coal production.

Top producers of coal, 2017-2020

World map of production of coal, 2017-2020

Turkey's coal production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 86 425 K t of coal, which is 8.8% lower than the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 98 638 K t, with the largest annual increase of 14.6% also occurring that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Coal production in Turkey fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 10 106 M $ US, marking a sharp decline of 26.7% compared to the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 27.3%, averaging an annual drop of 10.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 15 722 M $ US, with the largest increase of 13.0% also in that year.

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

Exports coal to Turkey

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 31 K t, with the largest decline of 13.9% that year. In 2020, Turkey exported 59 K t of coal, indicating a sharp increase of 91.0% from 2019, which was the highest volume recorded, resulting in a 1.9-fold gap between the two years.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Syria, Cyprus, and Iraq consistently led Turkey's coal exports in volume, accounting for 40.7%, 21.8%, and 16.2% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 78.7% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, coal exports from Turkey amounted to 7 M $ US, reflecting a sharp rise of 53.5% year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 M $ US, with the largest decline of 21.4% that year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 27.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 8.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Syria, Iraq, and Cyprus were the three main markets for Turkey's coal exports in value terms, collectively accounting for 72.6% of total exports.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in value, 2017-2020

Imports coal in Turkey

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Turkey's coal imports increased. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 37 753 K t, with the largest decline of 1.9% in 2018. In 2020, imports reached 40 246 K t, up 6.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 2.9%, with an average annual increase of 0.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia and Russia were the dominant suppliers of coal to Turkey, together accounting for 82.2% of total imports in volume, while other sources contributed relatively small shares.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Turkey's coal imports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 2 721 M $ US, showing a substantial reduction of 22.7% compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 385 M $ US, with the largest increase of 7.6% that year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 33.2%, averaging an annual decline of 12.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia, Russia, and Australia consistently remained the top sources for Turkey's coal imports in value terms, accounting for 37.3%, 36.1%, and 9.3% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 82.6% of total import flows.

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

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