In the third quarter of 2024 (Q3 2024), the Australian coking coal price was 211 U.S. dollars per metric ton, down from 243 U.S. dollars per metric ton in the previous quarter. Coking coal, also known as metallurgical coal, is a low-ash, low-sulfur, low-phosphorus coal that is used to produce coke, which is the main source of carbon used to make steel.

Learn about the factors that influence the price of Australian coking coal, such as global demand, supply disruptions, trade policies, and currency exchange rates. Understand how these factors contribute to price volatility and the importance of monitoring market conditions.

Coal decreased 28.50 USD/MT or 22.75% since the beginning of 2025, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Coal - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on March of 2025.

Learn about the factors influencing Australian coking coal prices, including supply and demand dynamics, global economic conditions, and production costs. Discover how weather events, trade tensions, and the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted prices in recent years. Explore the future outlook for Australian coking coal and the factors that will continue to shape market volatility.

One of the leading economic industries in Australia, coal mining has contributed significantly to the local economy. In 2024, the price of Australian coal was around 136 U.S. dollars per metric ton. Coal market The contribution of the coal mining industry to Australia’s economy was valued in the billions of Australian dollars. Coal consumption is much lower than production in Australia, so most of the mined coal is exported. In fact, Australia exports the most coal by value out of any other country, with major export partners including China and India. Australia’s reliance on its mining exports may lead to potential problems, particularly if long-term demand drops due to emerging alternative fuel sources, climate action, and increased competition from other coal producing countries. The effect on the tens of thousands of Australian workers in the mining industry may have already been felt, with lower employment numbers recorded recently. Environmental impact Of late, the fugitive emissions from coal mining have come under fire due to their contribution to environmental pollution. In Australia, emissions from underground coal mines were projected to total 19 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030. With a global focus on reducing air pollution and mitigating climate effects, the future of mining in Australia may not be as certain as it once was.

Australian coking coal prices rise in early 2025 due to Indian market demand, influenced by global trade dynamics and Indian import restrictions.

The global coal price index reached 154 index points in February 2025. This was a decrease compared to the previous month, which also reflected a fall in the overall fuel energy price index. The global coal index expresses trading of Australian and South African coal, as both countries are among the largest exporters of coal worldwide. How coal profited from the 2022 gas crunch Throughout 2022, coal prices saw a significant net increase. This was largely due to greater fuel and electricity demand as countries slowly exited more stringent coronavirus restrictions, as well as fallout from the Russia-Ukraine war. As many European countries moved to curtailing gas imports from Russia, coal became the alternative to fill the power supply gap, more than doubling the annual average price index between 2021 and 2022. Main coal traders and receivers Although China makes up by far the largest share of worldwide coal production, it is among those countries consuming the majority of its extracted raw materials domestically. In terms of exports, Indonesia, the world's third-largest coal producer, trades more coal than any other country, followed by Australia and Russia. Meanwhile, Japan, South Korea, and Germany are among the leading coal importers, as these countries rely heavily on coal for electricity and heat generation.

14088 Global export shipment records of Coking Coal with prices, volume & current Buyer's suppliers relationships based on actual Global export trade database.

Australia BHP: Average Realized Price: Coal: Metallurgical Coal data was reported at 177.220 USD/Tonne in Jun 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 164.220 USD/Tonne for Dec 2017. Australia BHP: Average Realized Price: Coal: Metallurgical Coal data is updated semiannually, averaging 164.220 USD/Tonne from Jun 2017 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 177.220 USD/Tonne in Jun 2018 and a record low of 163.300 USD/Tonne in Jun 2017. Australia BHP: Average Realized Price: Coal: Metallurgical Coal data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by BHP Billiton Group. The data is categorized under World Trend Plus’s Top Company: Metal and Mining: Asia Excluding China – Table WB.AT003: BHP Billiton Group (BHP): Operational Data.

Discover how a slowdown in global steel production is influencing coking coal prices, with forecasts predicting moderate declines by 2025.

The price for one metric ton of Australian thermal coal amounted to an average of 136.10 U.S. dollars in 2024. This was a notable decrease compared to 2022, when the price amounted to over 300 U.S. dollars. Thermal coal, also known as steam coal, is used to generate electricity and its properties include a high moisture and low energy content. It is differentiated from coking coal, or metallurgical coal, which is largely used for steel production. Thermal coal/steam coal prices tend to be lower than coking coal prices, as coking coal requires fewer impurities. Coal consumption: the leading consuming countries Between 2000 and 2023, global coal consumption increased by some 65.27 exajoules, amounting to roughly 164 exajoules as of 2023. Today, China and India are the two leading coal consumers worldwide, at 91.94 and 21.98 exajoules, respectively. The two most populous countries on the planet thus accounted for over two-thirds of total coal consumption in 2023. The U.S. is a leading coal consumer despite the declining U.S. coal mining industry The United States was ranked third among the leading coal consuming nations in 2023, however, it has decreased its coal consumption for electricity generation considerably since 2007. This is largely the result of electric utilities switching to cheaper means for energy production such as natural gas and renewables, as well as growing concerns over greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. coal mining industry has also been on the decline in recent years.

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Metallurgical Coal Market Size 2025-2029

The metallurgical coal market size is forecast to increase by USD 99.6 billion at a CAGR of 4.8% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is driven by the increasing demand for steel and the rise in several smart city projects, leading to an increase in consumption of coal. However, the market faces challenges such as volatility in metallurgical coal prices due to supply and demand imbalances. To mitigate this, coal blending and coal characterization through techniques like coal washing, coal property analysis using vitrinite reflectance and petrography, and coal reserve exploration are crucial.
Coal washing enhances coal quality by removing impurities, while coal characterization provides insights into coal's caking index, thermal maturity, and carbonization properties. Fossil carbon's role in the coal industry is significant as it is a critical feedstock in steel manufacturing and carbonization processes. The demand-supply gap in the market necessitates efficient coal production and utilization strategies.

What will be the Size of the Market During the Forecast Period?

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How is this market segmented and which is the largest segment?

The market research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Application

  Steel making
  Non-steel making


Type

  Hard coking coals
  Semi-soft coking coals
  Pulverized coal injection


End-User

  Construction
  Transportation
  Health Care
  Agriculture
  Others


Geography

  APAC

    China
    India
    Japan


  North America

    Canada
    US


  Europe

    Germany
    UK
    France


  Middle East and Africa

    UAE


  South America

    Brazil

By Application Insights

The steel making segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Metallurgical coal plays a crucial role in the steel industry, serving as the primary feedstock for coke production in steelmaking processes. The BF-BOF (Basic Oxygen Furnace-Blast Furnace) and EAF (Electric Arc Furnace) routes are the two primary methods for producing steel. In the BF-BOF process, large quantities of metallurgical coal are required to produce carbon-rich coke, which is essential for reduction of iron ore and the production of pig iron. In contrast, the EAF process uses scrap metal and requires lower volumes of metallurgical coal for anaerobic heating. While both methods contribute to steel production, the BF-BOF process was the dominant method used in 2020.

Furthermore, the consumption of steel is often used as an economic development indicator, and this growth in steel production highlights the ongoing economic recovery. The various types of metallurgical coal, including anthracite, bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, and lignite, are utilized based on their carbon content and caking ability in the steelmaking process.

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The steel making segment was valued at USD 160.30 billion in 2019 and showed a gradual increase during the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

APAC is estimated to contribute 85% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. Technavio's analysts have elaborately explained the regional market trends and drivers that shape the market during the forecast period.

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The market in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is projected to expand at a faster pace compared to other regions, driven by the significant demand from the steel industry. Factors such as industrialization and infrastructure growth in developing countries like China and India are fueling the demand for steel, which relies on metallurgical coal as a primary raw material for its production. With the rapid urbanization of cities in Asia, the need for steel is high for infrastructure development. Metallurgical coal, with its high carbon content, is essential for producing carbon-rich coke required for coking processes in steelmaking. In 2023, China, Australia, Indonesia, and India were the leading contributors to the growth of the market in APAC.

Furthermore, the demand for this coal type is particularly high in countries like China, which is the world's largest consumer and importer of metallurgical coal. The primary use of these in APAC is for electricity generation and household heating, as well as anaerobic heating and the production of pig iron from iron ore. The caking ability of metallurgical coal is crucial for its use in the steel industry, ensuring the successful production of high-quality iron and steel products.

Market Dynamics

Metallurgical coal, also known as coking coal, plays a vital role in the steelmak

Australian coking coal exports dropped by 23% in January 2025, affected by restricted supplies, lower demand, and changing trade flows.

Learn about the role of Australian coking coal companies in the global coal market. Discover the major players in the industry and their contributions to Australia's economy. Understand the environmental impact of coal mining and efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources.

18190 Global import shipment records of Coking,coal with prices, volume & current Buyer's suppliers relationships based on actual Global export trade database.

The Australian hard coking coal price is an essential indicator for the global steel and coal industries. This article discusses the factors influencing the price, its historical volatility, and its current status. The price is quoted in US dollars per metric tonne and is important for investors, steel producers, and other stakeholders in assessing profitability and market dynamics.

Subscribers can find out export and import data of 23 countries by HS code or product’s name. This demo is helpful for market analysis.

Australia Coal Market size was valued at USD 57 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 68 Billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 2.2% during the forecast period from 2025-2032.

Australia Coal Market: Definition/Overview

Coal mining represents one of Australia’s most significant export industries, whereby both thermal and metallurgical coal are produced. Thermal coal is utilized primarily for power generation, while metallurgical coal is essential for steel production.

Furthermore, the industry is characterized by advanced mining technologies, strict safety regulations, and environmental management practices. The quality of Australian coal is recognized globally, with low ash content and high energy value key attributes that are valued by international buyers.

Explore Australia's prominent role in the global coking coal industry, focusing on its high-quality reserves in Queensland's Bowen Basin, crucial for steel production, and major export markets like China, India, Japan, and South Korea.

Subscribers can find out export and import data of 23 countries by HS code or product’s name. This demo is helpful for market analysis.