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.

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.

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• 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.

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.

The price for one metric ton of Australian thermal coal amounted to an average of 136.10 U.S. dollars in 2024. This was a notable decrease compared to 2022, when the price amounted to over 300 U.S. dollars. Thermal coal, also known as steam coal, is used to generate electricity and its properties include a high moisture and low energy content. It is differentiated from coking coal, or metallurgical coal, which is largely used for steel production. Thermal coal/steam coal prices tend to be lower than coking coal prices, as coking coal requires fewer impurities. Coal consumption: the leading consuming countries Between 2000 and 2023, global coal consumption increased by some 65.27 exajoules, amounting to roughly 164 exajoules as of 2023. Today, China and India are the two leading coal consumers worldwide, at 91.94 and 21.98 exajoules, respectively. The two most populous countries on the planet thus accounted for over two-thirds of total coal consumption in 2023. The U.S. is a leading coal consumer despite the declining U.S. coal mining industry The United States was ranked third among the leading coal consuming nations in 2023, however, it has decreased its coal consumption for electricity generation considerably since 2007. This is largely the result of electric utilities switching to cheaper means for energy production such as natural gas and renewables, as well as growing concerns over greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. coal mining industry has also been on the decline in recent years.

Learn about the various factors that influence coal prices in the United States, including supply and demand dynamics, global market conditions, government regulations, environmental concerns, and short-term weather patterns. Understand how these factors interact to shape pricing trends for coal in the country.

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 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

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

Coal Price in the United States - 2023. Find the latest marketing data on the IndexBox platform.

Graph and download economic data for Wholesale Price of Bituminous Coal, Mines for United States (M0490DUSM349NNBR) from May 1954 to Jun 1956 about coal, wholesale, mining, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

In 2023, the average annual sales price of coal in Alabama stood at 202 U.S. dollars per short ton. Virginia and West Virginia followed with the second and third-highest coal sales prices that year, at 171.62 and 120.08 U.S. dollars per short ton, respectively. By comparison, Illinois's average coal sales price stood at 48.06 U.S. dollars per short ton.

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.

Learn about the expected rise in coal consumption in the United States over the next decade, with a forecasted increase in market volume to 538M tons by 2035. The market value is also projected to grow to $76.4B by the end of 2035.

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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

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.

Have timely access to reliable Coal price assessments in Sweden:

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

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 Sweden and up to 32 other countries are part of Intratec Energy Price References. Subscribe and access now current prices of key energy commodities worldwide.

U.S. metallurgical coal prices are influenced by global steel production, regional dynamics, transportation costs, geopolitical factors, and environmental concerns. This article explores how these factors contribute to the fluctuations and pricing of metallurgical coal in the United States.

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.