China coal imports from Russia fell by 8.6% year-on-year in January–November 2025, reflecting mounting logistical constraints, high rail tariffs and ongoing sanctions pressure.
In January–November 2025, Russian coal supplies to China dropped to 80.4 mio t (-7.6 mio t or -8.6% vs. Jan–Nov 2024), according to General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).
In November 2025, Russian coal supplies to China plunged to 7.3 mio t (-1.0 mio t or -12.0% vs. Nov 2024), marking the eighth consecutive month of y-o-y decline since April.
The decrease in Russian coal supplies resulted from serious logistical issues, high railway tariffs, international sanctions and ruble appreciation.
Given depressed global prices, these factors are forcing most producers to export coal at zero or negative margins, that will likely lead to further production and supplies cuts in the near term.
In November 2025, China’s coal imports fell to 44.1 mio t (-10.8 mio t or -19.7% vs. Nov 2024).
China’s total coal imports in Jan-Nov 2025 dipped to 431.9 mio t (-58.5 mio t or -11.9% y-o-y).
Russia remains China’s second-largest coal supplier after Indonesia, followed by Mongolia and Australia.
In Jan-Nov 2025, Indonesia, China’s top coal provider, reduced exports to 182.3 mio t (-33.2 mio t or -15.4% y-o-y).
Mongolia managed to ramp up its shipments to 79.0 mio t (+3.7 mio t or +4.9% y-o-y), while Australian deliveries went down to 68.5 mio t (-5.7 mio t or -7.7% y-o-y).
Market share shifts among major suppliers (Jan-Nov 2025 vs. Jan-Nov 2024):
· Indonesia: 42.2% (-1.7 p.p.);
· Russia: 18.6% (+0.7 p.p.);
· Mongolia: 18.3% (+2.9 p.p.);
· Australia: 15.9% (+0.8 p.p.).
In November 2025, domestic coal production in China amounted to 427.0 mio t (-0.2% vs. November 2024). However, compared to October 2025, it had increased by 20 mio t or 4.9%. Thus, in the first 11 months of 2025, output reached 4.09 billion t, which is 9.7% higher y-o-y.
Coal extraction rise in in November was prompted by repeated calls from the central government to ensure a stable energy supply during the winter.
Despite strong demand, Russian coal exports to China continue to decline due to systemic issues and crisis in the coal industry, potentially leading to Russia’s shrinking market share and growing competitive pressure from other suppliers.
Source: CCA
