Kuzbass coal production declined in January-February 2026 as lower exports, weaker global prices, and rising costs continued to pressure the Russian coal sector.
Under the Ministry of Coal Industry of Kuzbass, in January-February 2026, coal mining enterprises in Kuzbass produced
31.5 mio t (-2.1 mio t or -6.3% vs. Jan-Feb 2025).
The total shipment of coal in Kuzbass by rail in January-February 2026 shrank to 27.2 mio t (-2.0 mio t or -7.0% vs. Jan-Feb 2025).
Export supplies from Kuzbass in January-February 2026 totaled 16.2 mio t (-2.2 mio t or -12.0% vs. Jan-Feb 2025).
The fall in global prices, coupled with a rise in production costs and logistics expenses, resulted in increased losses. The number of loss-making enterprises in Russian coal industry reached 74%.
The crisis in the coal industry, on the back of sanctions, high railway tariffs, rising costs and logistical constraints, will further adversely affect the production and supplies of high-quality Russian coal to the global market in 2026.
Source: CCA
