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.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Coking Coal market size is USD XX million in 2024 and will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.00%from 2024 to 2031.

North America held the major market of more than 40% of the global revenue with a market size of USD XX million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2% from 2024 to 2031.
Europe accounted for a share of over 30% of the global market size of USD XX million.
Asia Pacific held the market of around 23% of the global revenue with a market size of USD XX million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.0% from 2024 to 2031.
Latin America market of more than 5% of the global revenue with a market size of USD XX million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.4% from 2024 to 2031.
Middle East and Africa held the major market ofaround 2% of the global revenue with a market size of USD XX million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7% from 2024 to 2031.
The Steel Production held the highest Coking Coal market revenue share in 2024.

Key Drivers of Coking Coal Market

Growing Demand from Steel Industry to Increase the Demand Globally

The steel industry is a major consumer of coking coal, using it as a primary raw material in the production of steel. As the global economy continues to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for steel is expected to rise, driven by infrastructure development, construction projects, and the automotive sector. This increasing demand for steel is expected to boost the demand for coking coal, as it is an essential component in the steelmaking process. Additionally, the shift towards electric arc furnaces (EAFs) in steel production, which also require coking coal, is expected to further drive the demand for coking coal in the coming years.

Growing Urbanization and Industrialization to Propel Market Growth

Rapid urbanization and industrialization in emerging economies such as China, India, and Brazil are driving the demand for steel and, consequently, coking coal. As these countries continue to invest in infrastructure development, the demand for steel for construction, transportation, and manufacturing purposes is expected to increase. This trend is particularly pronounced in the construction of skyscrapers, bridges, and other infrastructure projects that require large quantities of steel. The growing middle class in these countries is also driving demand for consumer goods, automobiles, and appliances, all of which require steel, thus boosting the demand for coking coal.

Restraint Factors of Coking Coal Market

Environmental Concerns and Regulations to Limit the Sales

One of the key restraints in the coking coal market is the increasing environmental concerns associated with coal mining and steel production. The mining and burning of coal releases greenhouse gases and other pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing to air and water pollution and climate change. In response to these concerns, governments around the world are implementing stricter environmental regulations and emissions standards, which could increase the cost of coal production and limit its use in steelmaking. Additionally, the growing awareness of environmental issues among consumers and investors has led to a shift towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, potentially reducing the demand for coking coal in the long run.

Impact of Covid-19 on the Coking Coal Market

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the coking coal market, leading to disruptions in production, supply chains, and demand. The lockdowns and restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the virus resulted in a slowdown of economic activity, leading to a decrease in demand for steel and, consequently, coking coal. Many steel mills around the world either shut down or operated at reduced capacity, leading to a decline in coking coal consumption.

However, despite these challenges, the coking coal market showed resilience, with prices remaining relatively stable due to the gradual recovery of the global economy and the resumption of steel production. Governments around the world implemented stimulus packages to support economic recovery, which boosted infrastructure projects and construction activities, leading to an increase in ...

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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

The Metallurgical Coal Market is projected to grow at 4.0% CAGR, reaching $17.89 Billion by 2029. Where is the industry heading next? Get the sample report now!

Forecast: Coking Coal Imports to Italy 2022 - 2026 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Coking Coal Market size was valued at USD 76 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 100 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4% during the forecast period 2024-2030.

Global Coking Coal Market Drivers

The market drivers for the Coking Coal Market can be influenced by various factors. These may include:

Growth in Steel Production: One essential raw material used in the blast furnace process to produce steel is coking coal. The need for coking coal may be driven by an increase in the production and demand for steel globally.

Projects related to construction and infrastructure: Increasing expenditures on building and infrastructure, particularly in developing nations, raise the demand for coking coal and steel.

Industrialization and Urbanization: The need for steel is driven by trends in urbanization and industrialization, especially in developing nations, for a variety of uses, including manufacturing, transportation, and building.

Automobile Production: Coking coal usage is influenced by the automotive industry’s need for steel, primarily for the manufacture of automobiles and their components.

A renewed emphasis on Manufacturing: The revival of industrial sectors through policies and initiatives in various nations may result in a rise in the demand for coking coal and steel.

Global Economic Development: The demand for coking coal is driven by rising industrial activities, such as manufacturing and building, which are facilitated by positive economic indicators and global economic growth.

Technological Developments in the Steel Industry: Technological developments in the steel industry have the potential to impact coking coal utilization efficiency and increase demand for the fuel.

South America Coking Coal market size is USD XX million in 2024 and will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.4%from 2024 to 2031.

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.

Forecast: Coking Coal Energy Supply in Italy 2023 - 2027 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

North America Coking Coal market size is USD XX million in 2024 and will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2%from 2024 to 2031.

In 2023, the global metallurgical coal export volume stood at 348 million metric tons. This is forecast to increase to 353 million metric tons by 2026. Metallurgical coal, often referred to as coking coal, is utilized in the production of coke, which serves as the main carbon source in the process of steelmaking.

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

In 2023, the global metallurgical coal consumption volume surpassed 1.1 billion metric tons. This is forecast to increase to 1.118 billion metric tons by 2026. Metallurgical coal, often referred to as coking coal, is utilized in the production of coke, which serves as the main carbon source in the process of steelmaking.

The Report Covers the China Coal Market Outlook and is Segmented by Applications (power Generation (thermal Coal), Coking Feedstock (coking Coal), and Other Applications). The Report Offers the Market Size and Forecasts for Coal in Revenue (USD) for all the Above Segments.

The Report Covers Indian Coal Market Size & Share and It is Segmented by Application (Power Generation (Thermal Coal), Coking Feedstock (Coking Coal), and Other Applications). The Report Offers the Market Size and Forecasts in Terms of Volume for all the Above Segments.

Middle East and Africa Coking Coal market size is USD XX million in 2024 and will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7%from 2024 to 2031.

Forecast: Coking Coal Imports to Germany 2022 - 2026 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Asia Pacific Coking Coal market size is USD XX million in 2024 and will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.0%from 2024 to 2031.

Europe Coking Coal market size is USD XX million in 2024 and will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.5%from 2024 to 2031.

Asia Pacific Coal Market is segmented by End User (Power Station (Thermal Coal), Coking Feedstock (Coking Coal), and Others) and Geography (China, India, Indonesia, and Rest of Asia-Pacific).