Coal rose to 112 USD/T on July 11, 2025, up 0.90% from the previous day. Over the past month, Coal's price has risen 7.07%, but it is still 16.32% lower than a year ago, 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 July of 2025.

It is forecast that the average price for hard coking coal in 2026 will be ***** nominal U.S. dollars per metric ton. Meanwhile, the average price for semi-soft coking coal is forecast to be ****** nominal U.S. dollars per metric ton that year.

As per Cognitive Market Research's latest published report, The South African Coal market size will be $7,235.85 Million by 2029. The South Africa Coal Industry's Compound Annual Growth Rate will be 3.36% from 2023 to 2030. Factors Affecting the Coal Market

Growing usage of coal in electricity generation: Coal dominates South Africa's domestic energy resource base. South Africa is heavily reliant on coal-fired electricity. Although most African countries are coal-free, a survey finds that South Africa still relies significantly on fossil fuel for electricity generation. Coal is the most frequently utilized primary fuel worldwide, accounting for around 36% of total fuel use in global power production. Coal provides around 77 percent of South Africa's basic energy needs. According to the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, South Africa's total domestic energy-generating capacity is 58,095 megawatts (MW) from all sources. Coal is now South Africa's most important energy source, accounting for over 80% of this country's energy mix. This is continued dramatically in the near the future due to the rising need for electricity across the region. The energy consumption of South Africa is raised by 1.3%/year between 2017 and 2019. To achieve this demand, there is need for coal for electricity generation. According to the 2016 Electricity, Gas, and Water Supply Industry Report, this fossil fuel generated 85,7% of the country's electricity in 2016. Similarly, according to the Ember study, coal produced 84.4 percent of domestic electricity in 2021. As a result, South Africa's electricity-related emissions in 2021 can still surpass those of other African countries, such as Egypt and Kenya. As a result, many of the reserves can be mined at extremely low prices, and South Africa has created a substantial coal-mining sector. South Africa's coal baseload independent power producer procurement project aims to buy 2 500 megawatts of coal-fired power output by December 2021. It also intends to use funds from industrialized nations and financial organizations to construct transformers, distribution technologies, and substations. Hence, the growing usage of coal in electricity generation drives the growth of the South African coal market.

Restraint for South Africa Coal market

Difficulties associated with the coal mining: One of the major restraints hindering the growth of the coal market is the increasing operational and environmental difficulties associated with coal mining. As easily accessible coal reserves are depleted, mining companies are forced to extract coal from deeper, more geologically complex, and environmentally sensitive regions. This not only raises production costs significantly but also escalates safety risks for workers and increases the environmental impact. In regions like India and parts of Africa, for instance, coal mining has led to the displacement of communities, water contamination, and deforestation, prompting stronger opposition from local populations and environmental groups. Moreover, regulatory bodies across the globe are tightening mining guidelines, enforcing stricter air and water pollution controls, and mandating land reclamation measures. These requirements often lead to operational delays and higher compliance costs. In the U.S., several coal mines have shut down in the past decade due to a combination of lower profitability and stringent environmental regulations. Additionally, mounting scrutiny from ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investors is causing financial institutions to reduce funding for coal projects. As a result, even major coal-producing nations are beginning to shift investments toward cleaner energy alternatives, making coal mining not only more difficult but also less economically viable in the long term.

Trends in the Coking Coal Market

Continued Demand from Steel Production Amid Infrastructure Expansion: Coking coal is an essential component in blast furnace steelmaking, and its demand remains robust, especially in developing nations engaged in extensive infrastructure and industrial growth. Countries such as India, China, and various Southeast Asian nations are propelling steel demand for construction, transportation, and urbanization, which consequently drives consistent consumption of metallurgical (coking) coal. In spite of worldwide decarbonization initiatives, conventional steelma...

The global coal price index reached 138.87 index points in May 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.

In 2020, the decline in the global coal market gathered momentum, against the Covid-19 pandemic. The low cost of natural gas, combined with the development of alternative energy sources and stricter environmental regulations, are pushing the coal energy sector into stagnation. In the medium term, only the metallurgical industry is set to see a stable demand for coal.

In 2021, the Cuban coal market was finally on the rise to reach $X after two years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a resilient expansion. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2018; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

For the forecast period of 2021–2026, the Coal Tar Market is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of about 5%, says MarkNtel Advisors

North America Hard Coal Market is expected to grow during 2025-2031

For the third consecutive year, the Hungarian coal market recorded decline in sales value, which decreased by -11.4% to $869M in 2024. Over the period under review, consumption saw a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 6.4%. Coal consumption peaked at $1.2B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The size of the Indonesia Coal Market was valued at USD XX Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD XXX Million by 2032, with an expected CAGR of 6.00% during the forecast period. The large coal market in Indonesia holds a significant place in the global energy scheme, placing the country amongst the biggest coal producers and exporters. Large reserves of coal occur mainly in Sumatra and Kalimantan, turning Indonesia into the most important supplier to Asian markets such as China and India. Coal accounts for nearly 60 per cent of the nation's electricity generation as well as powering industrial growth, accounting for a significant share of Indonesia's energy mix. This ultimately supports the effective extraction and movement of coal from the country. The country continues to expand its coal production even though the rest of the world is gradually turning to renewable energy. Usage of coal has been prompted by both internal energy demand and export capacity. The national energy plan is part of government policies aimed at developing the coal industry. Big role in ensuring energy security. It acknowledges the role that coal plays in it. However, there are environmental and increasing pressure on greenhouse gas and resultant talk over sustainable mining practices and a potential transition towards cleaner energy sources. Besides this, notwithstanding all this, the coal market remains a backbone and corner-stone for the economy of Indonesia, adding significantly to GDP, employment, and energy security, while grappling with complexities of the changing global energy landscape. Recent developments include: In November 2022, the Indonesian government announced that they would allow the construction of new coal plants, with a combined capacity of 13 gigawatts, that have already been tendered out. The plan is laid out in the country's 10-year energy plan for 2021-2030., In November 2022, the Asian Development Bank and a private power firm announced that they were teaming up to refinance and prematurely retire a coal-fired power plant. The 660-megawatt Cirebon 1 power plant in West Java would be refinanced in a USD 250 million to USD 300 million deal on the condition that it be taken out of service 10 to 15 years before its end 40- to 50-year useful life under a memorandum of understanding.. Key drivers for this market are: 4., Reduction in Energy Bills Due to Self-Power Consumption4.; Increasing Installation of Solar PV Modules in Residential Segment. Potential restraints include: 4., High Installation Cost as Compared to Rooftop PV Systems. Notable trends are: Electricity Industry to Dominate the Market.

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On analysis of the Metallurgical Coal Market, it was observed that Global will post the highest growth among all the regions. This conclusion was made after through examination of the growth prospects of the market across several regions including APAC, North America, Europe, MEA, and South America.

The metallurgical coal market report also provides several other key information including:

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2021-2025
Detailed information on factors that will drive metallurgical coal market growth during the next five years
Precise estimation of the metallurgical coal market size and its contribution to the parent market
Accurate predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior
The growth of the metallurgical coal market industry across APAC, North America, Europe, MEA, and South America
A thorough analysis of the market’s competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors
Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of metallurgical coal market vendors

Coal Power Generation Market is anticipated to grow at higher CAGR during the forecast period due to rapid industrialization and increased dependency on electrification across the globe.

On June 13, 2025, the U.S. Central Appalachian coal price stood at 79 U.S. dollars per short ton. Figures stayed below 80 U.S. dollars for most of 2024 and all of 2025, except for late June and late September 2024. Central Appalachian coal is produced in parts of Eastern Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, and Tennessee. In 2023, the annual Central Appalachian coal spot price stood at 73.59 U.S. dollars per metric ton.

In 2024, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in the Belarusian coal market, when its value increased by 14% to $84M. Over the period under review, consumption enjoyed a measured increase. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $119M in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Get comprehensive insights into the Coal market, with a focused analysis of the Coal price trend across Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East Africa.

The Indonesian thermal coal market is projected to experience significant growth over the forecast period, driven by the increasing demand for energy and the growing construction sector in the country. The market size, which stood at Mn in 2025, is expected to reach Mn by 2033, registering a CAGR of 6.00%. The key drivers of this growth include the rising population, rapid industrialization, and government initiatives to promote the use of thermal coal for power generation. The increasing demand for cement in the construction sector is also expected to drive the thermal coal market growth. The Indonesian thermal coal market is dominated by the Energy & Power industry vertical, which accounted for a significant share of the market in 2025. The Automotive and Construction industry verticals are also expected to contribute to the market growth over the forecast period. The major companies operating in the Indonesian thermal coal market include Bharat Coking Coal Limited, Northern Coalfields Limited, and Eastern Coalfields Limited. These companies are focusing on expanding their production capacity and exploring new markets to cater to the growing demand for thermal coal. [Indonesia Thermal Coal Market Comprehensive Report] Recent developments include: November 2022: the Indonesian government propounded that they would permit the construction of new coal plants, with a capacity of 13 gigawatts, that have been tendered out. The plan is in the country's 10-year energy plan for 2021-2030.. Notable trends are: Growing need for energy-efficient and high-performance semiconductors is driving the market growth.

China Settlement Price: ZCE: Thermal Coal: 2nd Month data was reported at 801.400 RMB/Ton in 13 May 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 801.400 RMB/Ton for 12 May 2025. China Settlement Price: ZCE: Thermal Coal: 2nd Month data is updated daily, averaging 610.300 RMB/Ton from Sep 2013 (Median) to 13 May 2025, with 2824 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,096.400 RMB/Ton in 19 Oct 2021 and a record low of 286.000 RMB/Ton in 14 Jan 2016. China Settlement Price: ZCE: Thermal Coal: 2nd Month data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Financial Market – Table CN.ZB: Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange: Commodity Futures: Settlement Price: Daily.

In 2021, the Cuban coal other than lingite market increased by 36,358% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption showed buoyant growth. Coal other than lingite consumption peaked at $X in 2018; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Revenue for the Coal Mining Industry in China is expected to grow at an annualized 10.4% over the five years through 2023, including a 12.6 rise to $681.3 billion in 2023. Revenue declined in 2020, and was largely due to demand moving away from coal in favor of cleaner energy sources, decreasing coal prices, competition from lower priced imported coal, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Coal shortage in 2021 caused sharp increase of coal prices, therefore, industry revenue increased to $535.5 billion, up by 68.7% from 2021.Raw coal output in China is expected to increase from 3.7 billion tons in 2018 to 4.9 billion tons in 2023, with an annualized growth rate of 5.7%. Industry imports are expected to increase at an annualized 14.9% over the five years through 2023, to total $46.0 billion. Imports have decreased as a share of domestic demand over the past five years to account for 6.3% in 2023.The industry has changed rapidly over the past five years. Extensive restructuring has prompted many mergers, acquisitions and exits. The Chinese Government has been offering incentives for smaller companies to leave the industry due to environmental and safety concerns. As a result, the number of industry enterprises has grown at an annualized 1.7% over the five years through 2023.Industry revenue is forecast to increase at an annualized 11.7% over the five years through 2028, to total $1184.7 billion. Imports are anticipated to increase at an annualized 6.3% over the same period. Under the industry policy's assistance such as “14th Five-Year” Modern Energy System Planning, the Coal Mining industry in China is expected to keep in a healthy and long-term development trend. As more industry assistance and support are provided to large-scale enterprises, mergers and acquisitions are projected to become more common over the period. The share of small enterprises will likely continue to decline, increasing industry concentration levels. The industry is anticipated to optimize resources for distribution, and reduce waste and production costs. Industry output and demand are projected to become more balance over the next five years.

Indonesia Coal Market size was valued at USD 211.41 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 369.19 Billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 7.2% from 2026 to 2032.Key Market DriversStrong Export Demand from Asian: Export demand, particularly from China, India, and other Asian economies, has been a significant driver for Indonesia's coal. As the world's largest thermal coal exporter, Indonesia has benefited from the energy needs of rapidly developing nations in the region, especially during post-pandemic economic recovery periods. The average benchmark coal price (HBA) reached USD 215.01 per tonne in 2022, a significant increase from USD 149.07 in 2021 and USD 58.17 in 2020 (Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, 2023).Domestic Energy Security Policies: Indonesia's domestic energy policies prioritize coal as a strategic resource for national energy security. The government's policies to ensure domestic supply, including the Domestic Market Obligation (DMO), have created a stable local demand base while maintaining export revenues. The DMO requirement is maintained at 25% of coal production throughout 2021-2023 (Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources regulation, 2021). Domestic coal consumption for power generation reached 113 million tons in 2022, a 4.5% increase from 2021 (PLN Statistical Report, 2023).