Energy
China coal imports drop as prices reach three-year high
China recorded a 6% year-on-year drop in September coal imports amid restricted Indonesian supplies and lower domestic output.
Key points
- September coal imports fell 5.7% from a year earlier to 43.37 million tons.
- Import prices and benchmark thermal coal rates reached nearly three-year highs.
- Safety checks in Shanxi and Indonesian production quotas tightened global supply.
What happened
According to OilPrice.com citing customs data, China imported 43.37 million tons of coal in September. While this represented a 3% increase compared to August, the volume was 5.7% lower than the same period in the previous year. Analysts at Mysteel Global noted that average import prices climbed to their highest level since 2024. Benchmark thermal coal prices also reached a three-year peak by the end of September.
Why it matters
Prices for the commodity have climbed by 24% since mid-July due to high demand and tighter availability. China continues to depend on coal for nearly 50% of its power generation. Domestic output has trended downward following a fatal mining accident in May in Shanxi, which led authorities to increase safety inspections and suspend operations at several sites. Simultaneously, exports from Indonesia have faced constraints due to government production quotas and weather disruptions affecting river transport.
What comes next
Authorities in China have urged local producers to stabilize output following the recent price increases. The government is pushing for higher production to secure sufficient supplies for the winter season, when coal demand typically rises to support power generation.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
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Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
