Global coal prices showed mixed regional dynamics last week, with weaker European benchmarks offset by firmer prices across China, Indonesia and Australia amid weather, logistics and supply disruptions. Broadly positive dynamics prevailed in the coal market: prices in Europe decreased; in China, coal became more expensive; in Australia, quotations for both thermal and metallurgical material […]
Russian coal exports by rail show a steady negative trend, being in a state of decline for the fifth consecutive year. The total shipment volume plunged from a peak of 224.5 mio t in 2021 to 190.7 mio t in 2025 (-33.8 mio t or -15.1% y-o-y). This decline is occurring on the back of […]
European coal imports continued to stabilise in 2025, remaining around 64 million tonnes, roughly 50% below 2022 peak levels, as the post-energy-crisis correction runs its course. The EU’s supplier mix has also shifted structurally, with US, Australian and Colombian coal replacing Russian volumes. European Union seaborne coal imports declined marginally by 1.4% year-on-year to 63.7 […]
According to a recent whitepaper by Kpler, China coal demand is expected to recover in 2026 as power demand growth reaccelerates after the slowdown seen in 2025, underlining China’s outsized influence on global coal market dynamics. In accompanying commentary, a senior Kpler analyst and co-author of the report reflects on how earlier forecasts of weaker […]
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 […]
In January-October 2025, net losses of Russian coal companies totaled 4.2 billion USD compared to losses of 1.1 billion USD in the same period a year earlier. Thus, losses for the first 10 months of 2025 exceeded almost 3 times overall losses in 2024, which totaled 1.5 billion USD. The share of loss-making companies also […]
Russian coal exports could face higher costs and weaker investment incentives as proposed rail contract changes shift risk onto shippers. Proposed amendments to Russia’s railway transport charter that would enshrine a ship-or-pay principle could hit coal exports and slow investment in mining, industry participants say. Critics argue that Russian Railways (RZD) is effectively boosting profitability […]
Global coal prices moved lower over the past week as weakening demand, ample supply and diverging regional fundamentals weighed on market sentiment. Negative sentiment prevailed in the coal market: European indices declined; prices in China continued to adjust downward; in Australia, thermal coal moved in different directions, while metallurgical material strengthened. Over the past week, […]
In October 2025, Russian coal exports to South Korea kept dropping for the second month in a row, falling to 2.1 mio t (-0.8 mio t or -28% vs. September 2025). Nevertheless, the volume of supplies remained above 1.6 mio t, recorded in October 2024. Russian coal exports to South Korea in October 2025 declined […]