Russian coal exports to India rise 8.6% in Jan-Aug 2026
November 2, 2026
Russian coal exports to China declined in January-September 2026 as logistics costs, sanctions and stronger competition continued to reduce Russia’s position in the Chinese market.
In January-September 2026, Russian coal supplies to China dropped to 62.6 mio t (-3.7 mio t or -5.6% vs. Jan-Sep 2025), according to the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).
The decrease in Russian coal supplies resulted from high railway tariffs, logistical issues, international sanctions and ruble appreciation. These factors are forcing most producers to export coal at zero or negative margins, which will likely lead to further production and supply cuts in the near term.
In January-September 2026, China’s total coal imports increased to 353.5 mio t (+7.5 mio t or +2.2% vs. Jan-Sep 2025).
In September 2026, imports totaled 43.4 mio t, down 5.7% y-o-y, yet still 3.1% higher m-o-m.
Following a fatal accident at Shanxi’s Liushenyu mine in May, authorities launched extensive safety inspections across the key coal-producing province. With numerous mines halting output, buyers turned to foreign supplies to cover the shortfall, causing a spike in imports during June and July.
The pace of decline in Chinese coal production has slowed. In September, local producers extracted 390 mio t (-0.9% m-o-m and -6.8% y-o-y). In January-September 2026, total coal output was down to 3.45 billion t (-3.5% y-o-y).
Indonesia, China’s largest coal supplier, in January-September 2026, reduced its exports to 135.3 mio t (-7.9 mio t or -5.5% y-o-y).
In January-September 2026, Mongolia continued to boost its coal shipments to 86.9 mio t (+24.9 mio t or +40.2% y-o-y), securing its second place among coal exporters to China.
It is followed by Russia, which was the second-largest supplier after Indonesia last year.
Australia slipped to the fourth place, exporting 57.9 mio t (+2.7 mio t or +4.9% y-o-y).
Market share shifts among major suppliers (9 months 2025/2025):
Despite strong demand, Russian coal exports to China continue to decline, resulting from 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
