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List of Coal Exporters and Importers in the World

coal exporters and importers

Key highlights:

  •  In 2022-23, the total coal exports amount to 238 billion US dollars. In terms of quantity,  the global coal export stands at 1,466 million metric tonnes.
  • The global coal import is valued at 286.7 billion dollars in 2022-23. In terms of quantity, the global coal import stands at  1565 million metric tonnes.
  • The top coal exporting countries are Australia, Indonesia, Russia, the United States, and South Africa.
  • The top coal importing countries are Japan, India, China, South Korea, and Taiwan. 
  • The top Coal HS Codes are 270111, 270112, 270119, 270120, and 27011100.

Coal is the oldest and most traditional energy source. Even after the introduction of many advanced forms of energy sources, it still holds a significant share in the energy source and fuel markets. China’s manufacturing industry, Japan’s energy security, and India’s infrastructure projects are mainly fueled by this black gold (coal).

Did you know how huge the coal market is? In 2023, the coal market amounts to approximately 1989 billion US dollars.

As coal is going to play a crucial role in the global energy landscape, we present a comprehensive report on the biggest coal exporters and biggest coal importers. In this article, we will delve into the top coal exporting and importing companies, coal export data, and more.

Firstly, let’s discuss the coal trading market!

How Big is the Coal Trading Market?

The global coal trade including import and export was valued at  $8309.93 million in 2023. As it is growing at a CAGR of 2.53%, the coal trade is expected to touch $9652.6 million by 2027.

Let's make it clearer by elaborating on data on both forms of coal trade:

Coal Export Data: As per coal trade statistics,  Coal is one of the most exported commodities in the world. In 2022-23, the add-up to coal export sum to 238 billion US dollars. In terms of quantity, worldwide coal exports stand at 1,466 million metric tons. Coal exports from  India worth $184.99 million in 2022-23.

Coal Import Data: The worldwide coal import is estimated at 286.7 billion dollars in 2023 which makes coal one of the most imported commodities in the world. In terms of quantity, the worldwide coal import stands at 1565 million metric tons. In 2022-23, coal import in India are worth $ 48034.94 million.

Top Coal Categories in International Market

The most traded categories of coal in the world are:

  • Lignite Coal: The total global trade of lignite coal stood at US$ 9.6 billion in 2022. The biggest lignite coal importer is China while the biggest producer and exporter of lignite coal is Indonesia.
  • Anthracite Coal: The total global trade of anthracite coal stood at US$ 9.71 billion in 2022. The biggest anthracite coal exporter is Russia while the biggest importer of anthracite coal is China.
  • Bituminous Coal: The total global trade of bituminous coal stood at US$ 193 billion in 2022. The biggest bituminous coal exporter is Australia while the biggest importer of bituminous coal is Japan.

Top Coal Exporting Countries

Here is the list of the biggest coal exporters with the export value: 

Top Coal Exporting Countries

S.no. Top Coal Exporters Export Value
1 Australia US $83,300 Million
2 Indonesia US $46,700 Million
3 Russia US $42,800 Million
4 United States US $17,300 Million
5 South Africa US $13,000 Million
6 Canada US $10,800 Million
7 Mongolia US $6,500 Million
8 Netherlands US $2,200 Million
9 Mozambique US $2,000 Million
10 Poland US $1,600 Million


Let's have a look at the export quantities of the biggest coal exporters: 

  • Australia (471 million metric tonnes)
  • Indonesia (359 million metric tonnes)
  • Russia (210 million metric tonnes)
  • United States (77 million metric tonnes)
  • South Africa (68 million metric tonnes)
  • Canada (56 million metric tonnes)
  • Mongolia (36 million metric tonnes)
  • The Netherlands (33 million metric tonnes)
  • Mozambique (29 million metric tonnes)
  • Poland (22 million metric tonnes)

So, Australia is the largest coal exporter in the world. Apart from Australia, all these above-mentioned coal exporters play an important role in producing and exporting coal in large quantities. There are few more countries that export coal in good quantities. To get the full list of coal exporting countries, click here.

Top Coal Importing Countries

Here is the list of the biggest coal importers with the import value:

Top Coal Importing Countries

S.no. Top Coal Importers Import Value 
1 Japan US $60.34 billion
2 India US $49.10 billion
3 China  US $48.32 billion
4 South Korea US $28.67 billion
5 Taiwan US $24.74 billion
6 Vietnam US $21.88 billion
7 Germany US $18.43 billion
8 Netherlands US $14.38 billion
9 Turkey US $11.5 billion
10 Malaysia US $9.4 billion


Let's have a look at the import quantities of the biggest coal importers:

  • Japan (357 million metric tonnes)
  • India (211 million metric tonnes)
  • China (210 million metric tonnes)
  • South Korea (138 million metric tonnes)
  • Taiwan (74 million metric tonnes)
  • Vietnam (44 million metric tonnes)
  • Germany (43 million metric tonnes)
  • Netherlands (40 million metric tonnes)
  • Turkey (40 million metric tonnes)
  • Malaysia (37 metric million tonnes)

The demand is driven for coal as per the level of reliance on coal for fuel. The above-listed countries are highly dependent on coal for their energy source. To get the list of major buying countries or major buyers of coal in the country, connect with us at Seair Exim Solutions.

Coal HS Code

Here is the list of trending categories of Coal HS code:

Coal HS Code Product Description
270111 Anthracite Coal, whether or not pulverized, non-agglomerated
270112 Bituminous Coal, whether or not pulverized, non-agglomerated
270119 Coal, whether or not pulverized, non-agglomerated  (other than anthracite and bituminous) 
270120 Ovoids, briquettes, and similar solid fuels manufactured from coal
27011100 Anthracite Coal, whether or not pulverized, but non-agglomerated
27011200 Bituminous Coal  whether or not pulverized, but non-agglomerated
27011910 Cooking coal
27011920 Steam Coal


HS Code (Harmonized System code) is the specific unique set of numbers given to every commodity traded in the international market. As you can check on the list, there are different coal HS codes for each kind of coal. To know more about Coal HS codes, check our Coal HS Code page on Seair Exim Solutions.

Top Coal Export Companies

Here is a brief list of the biggest coal exporters worldwide: 

  • Peabody Energy (United States)
  • Glencore (Switzerland)
  • BHP (Australia)
  • Yancoal (Australia)
  • Vale S.A. (Brazil)
  • Rio Tinto (United Kingdom)
  • Fortescue (Australia)
  • Siberian Coal Energy Company (Russia)
  • BUMI (Indonesia)
  • Anglo American Coal (South Africa)

Peabody, a United States-based coal exporters has the largest turnover in 2023. To get the details list of the shipment value of all biggest coal exporters and more coal exporting countries, visit Seair Exim Solution.

Coal exporters and importers

Top Coal Import Companies

Here is a brief list of the biggest coal importers worldwide: 

  • Agarwal Coal (India)
  • Mercuria Energy Group (Switzerland)
  • China Shenhua Energy (China)
  • Mitsubishi Corporation RTM Japan Ltd (Japan)
  • Trafigura Group PVT LTD (Singapore)

Agarwal Coal, an India-based company is the biggest coal importers from all over the world. Coal import companies fulfill the need for coal of domestic industries that rely on coal for their operational process.  To get the detailed list of the shipment value of all the biggest coal importers and more coal importing countries, visit Seair Exim Solution.

Why is Coal Export Increasing?

Since the beginning of industrialization, coal has been a vital component of fuel for all nations. During the Industrial Revolution, coal was the main fuel used by the US and all other Western nations.

These days, the main destination for biggest coal exporters is China, India, and a few other Asian nations, which also happen to be the biggest consumers of coal. As coal costs lower, it  has been a crucial energy resource for developing countries while developed nations are looking for clean fuel alternatives.

Coal import in India stood at 268 million metric tonnes in the financial year 2023 which is 8% higher than last year.

This data clearly shows how developing countries have an emerging market for coal.

How to Get Updated Coal Importers and Exporters Data

Getting the details of the biggest coal importers and biggest coal exporters is always at the forefront of the coal trade. Seair Exim Solution is the end platform for all of your concerns and queries related to the coal trade. Traders can get a detailed list of coal suppliers and buyers with their addresses and past transactions' shipment values. Our experts are always by your side to assist you and make your import-export journey smooth. To get in touch with us, click here.

The Final Words!

In upcoming years, Some countries will reduce their reliance on coal, but others will increase it. The rank of the biggest coal importers and biggest coal exporters is always going to fluctuate.  Only time will tell how the Coal market will maintain its special place in global trade. To get updated about coal market trade,  get our export data and coal import data from our website, Seair Exim Solutions. We provide import export data of 120+ countries whether it is Ukraine customs data or USA Importers Data. Thank you for reading!

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Who is the largest exporter of coal?

Australia is the largest coal exporter in the world. Australia exported 471 million metric tonnes of coal worth US $83,300 Million in 2022-23.

Q2. Who are the top coal exporters to India?

As per coal import data of 2023, Indonesia is the primary supplier of coal to India, holding 60% of India's coal import. It is followed by south africa and australia contributes around 10% each of total coal import of India.

Q3. Who is the largest producer of coal in the world?

In 2022-23, China produced 52% of the world’s total coal production which makes China the largest producer of coal in the world.

Q4. Who is the biggest buyer of coal?

Japan is the largest importer of coal. In 2022-23, Japan imported 357 million metric tonnes of coal worth US $60.34 billion.

Q5. Who imports the most coal?

Japan is the largest importer of coal. In 2022-23, Japan imported 357 million metric tonnes of coal worth US $60.34 billion.

Q6. Who imports coal in India?

Agarwal Coal Corporation Pvt Ltd is the largest coal importing company in india. It imports coal majorly from Indonesia and other south asian countries.

Q7. Who is the largest exporter of coal?

As per coal export data, Australia is the largest coal exporter in the world. Australia exported 471 million metric tonnes of coal worth US $83,300 Million in 2022-23.

Q8. Which country exports the most coal?

Australia is the largest coal exporter in the world. Australia exported 471 million metric tonnes of coal worth US $83,300 Million in 2022-23.

Q9. Which country is the largest importer of coal?

Japan is the largest importer of coal. In 2022-23, Japan imported 357 million metric tonnes of coal worth US $60.34 billion.

Q10. Who is the top supplier of coal to India?

As per coal import data of 2023, Indonesia is the primary supplier of coal to India, holding 60% of India's coal import. It is followed by south africa and australia contributes around 10% each of total coal import of India.

Coal Traders

Coal exporters Coal importers

Coal Trde Data

Coal Export Data Coal Import Data

  • Seair Exim
  • 12-Jul-2024

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