Monthly and long-term coking coal price data (US$/mt): historical series and analyst forecasts curated by FocusEconomics.

Coking Coal rose to 201.25 USD/T on November 10, 2025, up 0.12% from the previous day. Over the past month, Coking Coal's price has risen 3.60%, but it is still 4.39% lower than a year ago, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for Coking Coal.

It is forecast that the average price for hard coking coal in 2029 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.

Coal fell to 108.35 USD/T on December 1, 2025, down 1.86% from the previous day. Over the past month, Coal's price has fallen 1.14%, and is down 20.33% 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 December of 2025.

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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 metallurgical coal market is propelled by rising global steel demand, particularly in Asia Pacific, where infrastructure projects and smart city initiatives drive significant consumption. Technological advancements, such as 3D mine visualizers and proximity detection systems, enhance mining efficiency, supporting market growth. In North America, steady demand stems from automotive and construction sectors, while Europe's market thrives due to steel production in countries like Germany and Russia. Sustainability trends push for high-quality coal to support efficient, eco-friendly steel production. However, the volatility in prices of metallurgical coal, influenced by supply and demand dynamics and geopolitical factors, poses a significant risk for market participants.

Companies seeking to capitalize on the opportunities presented by this market must adopt strategic sourcing and pricing strategies. Additionally, investments in technological advancements, such as automation and mechanization, can help improve operational efficiency and reduce costs. Overall, the market offers substantial growth potential for companies able to navigate the price volatility and adapt to evolving market conditions.

What will be the Size of the Metallurgical Coal Market during the forecast period?

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The market encompasses the production and trade of coal used primarily in steel manufacturing. This market exhibits dynamic behavior, influenced by various factors. High-sulphur utilization and medium-ash applications in iron ore smelting remain significant drivers, while price fluctuations in thermal coal markets can impact metallurgical coal demand. Environmental concerns, including air pollution and mining safety, necessitate continued innovation in mining industry practices and technologies. Mining resources and reserves, mining sustainability, and mining equipment automation are essential considerations for market participants. Steel industry outlook, infrastructure development, and sustainable infrastructure projects, such as bridge construction and commercial space development, shape demand for metallurgical coal.
Renewable energy alternatives and sustainable mining practices are gaining traction, potentially impacting the market's future direction. Mining project management, equipment maintenance, and mining investment are crucial elements in the metallurgical coal supply chain. Steel production technology advancements and iron ore smelting processes continue to evolve, influencing the market's size and direction. The transportation and logistics sector plays a vital role in delivering coal to consumers, ensuring efficient and cost-effective solutions. Mining industry outlook remains positive, driven by the ongoing demand for steel and infrastructure development.

How is this Metallurgical Coal Industry segmented?

The metallurgical coal industry 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
  Medium Coking Coal


End-User

  Iron and Steel Industry
  Chemical and Pharmaceutical
  Foundry Industry
  Non-Steel Production
  Power Industry


Geography

  APAC

    China
    India


  North America

    US
    Canada


  Europe

    France
    Germany
    Russia
    UK


  Middle East and Africa

    UAE


  South America

    Brazil


  Rest of World

By Application Insights

The steel making segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

Metallurgical coal plays a crucial role in steel manufacturing as it is the primary input for coke production in the blast furnace process and the electric arc furnace (EAF) route. Steel production, a key indicator of economic development, saw a 3.3% increase in global crude steel output to 145.5 million tons (Mt) in November 2023, according to the World Steel Association. Concurrently, the global apparent steel use per capita surpassed 200 kilograms, marking an over 10% rise. Both steel manufacturing processes, BF-BOF and EAF, necessitate metallurgical coal. While the former requires substantial volumes, the latter demands lower quantities.

The steel industry's growth is driven by infrastructure development, urbanization, and the increasing demand for construction, high-grade steel for various industries, and premium hard coking coal for medical applications. The market dynamics are influenced by factors such as coal quality standards, sustainable mining practices, carbon footprint re

In the second quarter of 2025 (Q2 2025), the Australian coking coal price was *** U.S. dollars per metric ton, down from *** 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.

View monthly updates and historical trends for Australia Coal Price. Source: World Bank. Track economic data with YCharts analytics.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Metallurgical Coal Market size was USD 15412.5 million in 2024. It will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.50% from 2024 to 2031.

North America held the major market share for more than 40% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 6165.00 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.7% from 2024 to 2031.
Europe accounted for a market share of over 30% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 4623.75 million.
Asia Pacific held a market share of around 23% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 3544.88 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5% from 2024 to 2031.
Latin America had a market share of more than 5% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 770.63 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.9% from 2024 to 2031.
Middle East and Africa had a market share of around 2% of the global revenue and was estimated at a market size of USD 308.25 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2% from 2024 to 2031.
The hard cooking coal category is the fastest growing segment of the Metallurgical Coal industry

Market Dynamics of Metallurgical Coal Market

Key Drivers for Metallurgical Coal Market

Infrastructural advancement to Boost Market Growth

Global demand for metallurgical coal is mostly driven by the expansion of infrastructure. Steel is a vital building element used in construction projects, and its demand is growing as nations try to update and extend their infrastructure networks. Because it's used to make coke, an essential fuel and reducing agent in blast furnaces, metallurgical coal plays a pivotal role in the steelmaking process. This coke, made from metallurgical coal, makes it easier to separate iron from iron ore and turn it into steel. Thus, there is a significant demand for metallurgical coal as a result of strong infrastructure development projects, which include building roads, bridges, trains, airports, and urban infrastructure. Furthermore, in order to comply with strict performance requirements and safety laws, infrastructure development projects frequently need premium steel with certain metallurgical qualities. Hard coking coals (HCC), in particular, are crucial for making the premium coke required to produce steel with exceptional strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion.

Usage of 3D mine visualizers to Drive Market Growth

Coal mining companies employ 3D mine visualizers to obtain a real-time digital representation of a mine. The operator receives a three-dimensional version of the mine plan created by a three-dimensional mine visualizer. A web-based interface allows any connected device to get information about the model. Operators may examine and assess past data to improve productivity and identify best practices thanks to its comprehensive 3D recording and replay capabilities. 3D mine visualizers are quite helpful for large-scale mining sites. Planning operations, identifying problem areas, and tracking mine development over time can all be done with its help. High-resolution 3D spatial data can be used by users to trace operations from source to port or facility through the use of 3D visualisation.

Restraint Factor for the Metallurgical Coal Market

Disruptions to the Supply Chain, will Limit Market Growth

The production, distribution, and stability of the global metallurgical coal market are all negatively impacted by supply chain disruptions. The supply chain for metallurgical coal can be affected by a number of things, such as traffic jams, labor disputes, natural disasters, geopolitical unrest, and regulatory changes. The flow of metallurgical coal from mines to steel mills and export ports can be hampered by disruptions in the transportation infrastructure, such as port closures, railroad blockades, or road closures, which can cause delays and raise logistics costs. Furthermore, trade disputes or geopolitical tensions between nations may lead to export limits, taxes, or trade barriers that alter market dynamics and impede the flow of metallurgical coal across international borders.

Impact of Covid-19 on the Metallurgical Coal Market

Covid-19 had a significant impact on the Metallurgical Coal Market. Globally, COVID-19 has hindered the expansion of all industries. As lockdown has been imposed world...

The global coal price index reached 145.08 index points in September 2025. This was a decrease 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.