Coal rose to 106.40 USD/T on September 26, 2025, up 1.29% from the previous day. Over the past month, Coal's price has fallen 4.62%, and is down 27.40% compared to the same time last year, 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 September of 2025.

On August 8, 2025, the U.S. Central Appalachian coal price stood at 78 U.S. dollars per short ton. Prices have been especially stable throughout the first half of 2025, with figures staying below 80 U.S. dollars. Central Appalachian coal is produced in parts of Eastern Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, and Tennessee. In 2024, the annual Central Appalachian coal spot price stood at 77.67 U.S. dollars per metric ton.

The U.S. Central Appalachian coal price is a key indicator for coal prices across the country. The region includes parts of Eastern Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, and Tennessee, which are some of the largest coal-producing states in the country. In 2024, the average Central Appalachian coal spot price stood at 77.67 U.S. dollars per metric ton. This was less than half the average price in 2022. Coal commodity prices surged in 2022 as sanctions on Russian imports, production loss in Australia, and a temporary export ban in Indonesia put pressure on supply volumes. Other important global coal benchmarks include the Northwest Europe marker price, Australia's Newcastle, and China's Qinhuangdao price.

Coal prices per ton in the United States can vary depending on factors such as the type of coal, region, market demand, transportation costs, and environmental regulations. This article provides an overview of the various factors that influence coal prices and explains why thermal coal prices can range from approximately $40 to $140 per ton.

View yearly updates and historical trends for US Central Appalachian Coal Spot Price Index. Source: Energy Institute. Track economic data with YCharts ana…

Graph and download economic data for Export Price Index (End Use): Metallurgical Grade Coal (IQ11010) from Jan 2025 to Aug 2025 about grades, coal, end use, exports, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

View monthly updates and historical trends for Coal Price Index. Source: International Monetary Fund. Track economic data with YCharts analytics.

In August 2022, the coal price per ton stood at $213.6 (FOB, US), dropping by -14.1% against the previous month.

Graph and download economic data for Producer Price Index by Industry: Coal Mining (PCU2121121211) from Dec 1985 to Aug 2025 about coal, mining, PPI, industry, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

Coal prices in the US can vary significantly depending on factors such as supply and demand dynamics, production costs, transportation costs, and environmental regulations. The pricing of coal is typically done using various indices, with the most commonly used index being the NYMEX Coal Futures contract. This article explores the factors that influence coal prices in the US market and emphasizes the importance of understanding these factors for businesses and investors in the coal industry.

Graph and download economic data for Wholesale Price of Bituminous Coal, Mines for United States (M0490CUSM349NNBR) from Jan 1947 to May 1954 about coal, wholesale, mining, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

Coal prices for electric power generation in the United States were 2.48 U.S. dollars per million British thermal unit in 2024. This is a decrease when compared to the previous year. Average coal prices are forecast to drop in the following years.

The US Coal Index Price is a measure of the price of coal in the United States. It is designed to track the performance of coal prices and provide investors with an indicator of the overall health of the coal market. Factors affecting the index price include supply and demand, regulations, competition from other energy sources, and economic factors. The index price is significant for investors and market participants, as it helps assess the health of the coal market and make informed investment decisions. U

Learn about the factors impacting coal prices in the United States, including demand changes, renewable energy alternatives, government regulations, and global market dynamics. Discover how the COVID-19 pandemic and government policies have affected coal prices, and understand the variations in pricing based on coal grades and intended use. Find out where to obtain accurate coal price data from reliable market sources.

U.S. Bituminous Coal Prices - Historical chart and current data through 1944.

Discover the key factors that influence thermal coal prices, including supply and demand dynamics, production costs, transportation costs, and government policies. Learn how the balance between supply and demand, production costs, transportation costs, and government regulations impact the price of thermal coal. Explore regional variations and the effects of renewable energy sources, environmental concerns, weather patterns, and geopolitical tensions on thermal coal prices.

The global coal price index reached 155.41 index points in July 2025. This was an increase compared to the previous month, while the overall fuel energy price index decreased. 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 curtail 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, China, and India are among the leading coal importers, as these countries rely heavily on coal for electricity and heat generation.

Coal miners have endured a rollercoaster of challenges and opportunities, marked by fluctuating coal prices and a shifting demand landscape. Coal miners faced severe disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, only to recover with a notable recovery as economies reopened. Coal miners have faced a domestic versus international demand dichotomy as infrastructure investments have boosted domestic steel production. Yet, cleaner production methods have hindered the growth of coal from domestic sources. Consequently, domestic coal miners have increasingly sought international markets, with countries like India and China being key export destinations, capitalizing on these regions' heavy reliance on coal for power generation and steel production. Still, recent tariffs on US energy by China may hinder this source of growth, with coal miners increasingly leaning on India as an export market. Industry revenue has been increasing at a CAGR of 8.2% over the past five years to total an estimated $30.4 billion in 2025, including an estimated decrease of 0.1% in 2025. It should be noted that this strong growth was because of a low base year in 2020 when coal prices and production plummeted. Coal miners have navigated through a period of intense volatility. While production dipped as the world staggered under the weight of the pandemic, a surge in demand and prices in 2021 and 2022, spurred by the reopening of the economy and an energy crisis because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, catalyzed a spike in revenues for coal miners. However, normalizing prices and the domestic market have progressively contracted because of a continued shift towards renewable energy sources. This has resulted in consolidation within the industry, shrinking the number of operating coal mines and concentrating market power in the hands of larger companies. Looking ahead, coal miners anticipate navigating both challenges and opportunities over the next five years. Coal miners will continue to look to export markets for growth despite potential headwinds from global environmental policies and increasing renewable energy adoption. Domestically, the push towards clean energy technologies and the expanding role of electric arc furnaces in steel production will place additional pressure on coal demand. Still, potential upticks in steaming coal consumption, driven by rising natural gas prices and heightened energy needs from burgeoning manufacturing and tech sectors, may provide a reprieve. The merger between Consol Energy and Arch Resources might further reshape industry dynamics, potentially enhancing pricing power and operational efficiencies and prompting competitors to innovate to remain viable. Also, the recent executive order by President Trump may revitalize coal mining. Industry revenue is forecast to climb at a CAGR of 0.4% to total an estimated $31.0 billion through the end of 2030.

Graph and download economic data for Producer Price Index by Industry: Bituminous Coal and Lignite Surface Mining: Raw Bituminous Coal and Lignite from Surface Operations, for Use without Processing (PCU21211121211111) from Dec 2001 to Nov 2022 about coal, operating, processed, mining, PPI, industry, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

Metallurgical coal prices are influenced by supply and demand dynamics, global economic conditions, production costs, and trade policies. Understanding these factors is crucial for stakeholders in the steel industry to make informed decisions and manage risks related to metallurgical coal prices.