Russian coal production declined further in 2025, with output in the Kuzbass region falling by 3.9% year on year amid rising costs, logistical constraints and weak export economics.
The data highlights mounting pressure on Russia’s coal sector as lower global prices and sanctions continue to weigh on production, profitability and export volumes.
Under the Ministry of Coal Industry of Kuzbass, in 2025, coal mining enterprises in Kuzbass produced 190.7 mio t (-7.7 mio t or -3.9% vs. 2024).
In 2024, coal production in Kuzbass dropped to 198.4 mio t (-15.8 mio tons or -7.3% vs. 2023).
The total shipment of coal in Kuzbass by rail in 2025 shrank to 168.3 mio t (-5.6 mio t or -3.2% vs. 2024).
Export supplies from Kuzbass in 2025 totaled 101.8 mio t (-0.3 mio t or -0.3% vs. 2024).
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 67%.
According to the Energy Ministry, 23 Russian coal companies had closed by December. Another 53 are under threat of shutdown.
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 Analysis
