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.

On March 21, 2025, the U.S. Central Appalachian coal price stood at 78 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.

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.

Understand the factors affecting the current coal price in the international market, including supply and demand dynamics, government policies, and environmental regulations. Learn about the variations in price for thermal and metallurgical coal and the impact of regional dynamics and environmental policies on coal prices.

Have timely access to reliable Coal price assessments in United States:

• Coal, export spot price, fob, United States

Each assessment includes Coal price history for the past 10 years, current prices, and short-term forecasts. Price assessments are updated on the 3rd business day of every month and are accessible via online charts, an Excel Add-In, and an API. Free previews for all assessments are available at Intratec website.

Coal price assessments for United States and up to 32 other countries are part of Intratec Energy Price References. Subscribe and access now current prices of key energy commodities worldwide.

API2 Rotterdam coal futures amounted to 100 U.S. dollars per 1,000 metric tons on March 3, 2025 for contracts with delivery in March 2025. API2 Rotterdam is a Europe-wide coal price benchmark. Import prices for thermal coal became more volatile following the Russia-Ukraine war and European Union sanctions on Russian coal imports. However, since 2024, the AP12 Rotterdam as well as the worldwide coal price index have been comparatively stable.

Learn about the price fluctuations of metallurgical coal over the years and understand the factors that influence its price. Explore the impact of supply disruptions, demand from the steel industry, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the metallurgical coal market.

Have timely access to reliable Coal price assessments in Canada:

• Coal, export transaction price, fob, Canada

Each assessment includes Coal price history for the past 10 years, current prices, and short-term forecasts. Price assessments are updated on the 3rd business day of every month and are accessible via online charts, an Excel Add-In, and an API. Free previews for all assessments are available at Intratec website.

Coal price assessments for Canada and up to 32 other countries are part of Intratec Energy Price References. Subscribe and access now current prices of key energy commodities worldwide.

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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

Learn about the factors influencing steam coal prices and how they fluctuate in the current market conditions. Understand the impact of supply and demand, energy policies, environmental concerns, regional demand, and production costs on steam coal prices. Find out why staying informed and consulting reliable industry sources is crucial to understand and track steam coal pricing trends.

The current price of anthracite coal varies depending on factors such as quality, location, and market demand. This article explores the average price of anthracite coal in the United States, its uses in various industries, and the factors influencing its price. Additionally, the impact of global factors and recent price volatility are discussed, with a note to consult reliable sources for the most up-to-date pricing information.

It is forecast that the average price for hard coking coal in 2026 will be 21.80 nominal U.S. dollars per metric ton. Meanwhile, the average price for semi-soft coking coal is forecast to be 138.20 nominal U.S. dollars per metric ton that year.

The steam coal price index is a measure of the price of steam coal in the global market. This article provides an overview of the steam coal price index, its importance in the energy sector, and the commonly used indices such as the Global Coal Newcastle Index (GCNC), Miller Argus Index (MAI), and Richards Bay Index (RB Index). It also highlights the role of these indices in tracking price trends, making investment decisions, and understanding market dynamics in the coal industry.

Have timely access to reliable Coal price assessments in Poland:

• Coal (thermal), import spot price, cif, Poland

Each assessment includes Coal price history for the past 10 years, current prices, and short-term forecasts. Price assessments are updated on the 3rd business day of every month and are accessible via online charts, an Excel Add-In, and an API. Free previews for all assessments are available at Intratec website.

Coal price assessments for Poland and up to 32 other countries are part of Intratec Energy Price References. Subscribe and access now current prices of key energy commodities worldwide.

Have timely access to reliable Coal price assessments in Germany:

• Coal (thermal), import spot price, cif, Germany

Each assessment includes Coal price history for the past 10 years, current prices, and short-term forecasts. Price assessments are updated on the 3rd business day of every month and are accessible via online charts, an Excel Add-In, and an API. Free previews for all assessments are available at Intratec website.

Coal price assessments for Germany and up to 32 other countries are part of Intratec Energy Price References. Subscribe and access now current prices of key energy commodities worldwide.

Have timely access to reliable Coal price assessments in Japan:

• Coal (thermal), import spot price, cif, Japan

Each assessment includes Coal price history for the past 10 years, current prices, and short-term forecasts. Price assessments are updated on the 3rd business day of every month and are accessible via online charts, an Excel Add-In, and an API. Free previews for all assessments are available at Intratec website.

Coal price assessments for Japan and up to 32 other countries are part of Intratec Energy Price References. Subscribe and access now current prices of key energy commodities worldwide.

Learn about the factors influencing the price of coking coal, including global demand, supply, trade policies, geopolitical tensions, and economic growth. Understand how fluctuations in the global steel industry and regional markets impact coking coal prices. Explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and discover the future factors that will influence coking coal prices.

Learn about the factors that influence met coal prices, including supply and demand dynamics, geopolitical factors, and the global energy transition. Discover why met coal is essential for steel production and how price negotiations occur in the industry.

As of August 2024, the Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has set the country's coal reference price (HBA) at 115.29 U.S. dollars per metric ton, showing a decrease of over 64 U.S. dollars from the same month in 2023. Indonesia is one of the largest producers and exporters of coal worldwide.

Learn about the factors that influence the price of thermal coal, including supply and demand dynamics, market conditions, and global economic factors. Discover how the shift towards cleaner energy sources is affecting the thermal coal industry and explore the pricing variations in different regions such as Australia, China, Indonesia, Russia, and South Africa. Gain insights into the environmental scrutiny and long-term implications for the industry. Stay informed about global energy trends, policy developm