Coal is a type of sedimentary rock consisting of a high amount of carbon and hydrocarbons; it is brownish-black and is a nonrenewable resource because it takes millions of years for its formation. Dominated by the amount of carbon, it is accompanied by other elements like hydrogen sulfur dioxide, oxygen, and nitrogen. This residue of the prehistoric plants possesses the same amount of energy as that of the plant from which it is derived 1000 years later. These plant-derived hydrocarbon essentials are used for multiple purposes like cement production, the formation of synthetic petroleum-based fuels, and commercial heating.
The four main types of coal depending on its carbon consistency are lignite, sub-bituminous, bituminous, and anthracite. As coal is being used in different industrial sectors across the globe, its consumption has increased over the past several decades and has led to an export of 1.7 billion metric tons worldwide. As per the Coal Global Trade Data, the global coal production industry is dominated by the South Asian Nation Australia due to the vast amount of coal mining industries with a share of 50% of the worldwide coal production.
The global trade industries are heavily relying on the export trade of coal because of its multipurpose efficiencies and increasing demands. As per the Coal Export Data, the top 10 countries that export coal at a major rate for their growing economy are below,
• Australia – New South Wales and Queensland of Australia are the coal mining hubs of the nation. The abundance of coal production by the mining industries has made Australia the top global exporter of coal; the total global export value of coal by Australia in 2023 accounted for 66 billion US dollars.
• Indonesia – Lignite and sub-bituminous coals are the type of coal found in Indonesia. The country with an export trade of 41 billion US dollars in 2023 captures the 2nd position of top global coal exporters.
• Russia – Moscow, Pechora, and Kuznetsk are some of the locations of Russia which produce over two-thirds of the total coal production of the country. The export trade value of coal worth 24 billion US dollars in 2023 made Russia a significant coal exporter.
• United States – The United State's top three coal regions Appalachian, interior, and Western coal export bituminous coals. The total export trade value of Russian coal in 2023 is recorded as 19 billion US dollars.
• Columbia – Columbia mining industries have increased their production rate over the past few years to emerge as a top global coal exporter. The total trade value of the year 2023 is 9 billion US dollars; according to Coals Customs Data.
• South Africa – South Africa is a significant export trader of coal, its export rate is increasing with time and has reached a value of 7 billion US dollars in 2023. Bituminous coals are produced in massive amounts in the stratum of the Karoo Supergroup i.e. the Ecca Deposits.
• Canada – The total export trade value of coal from Canada in 2023 is 6 billion US dollars. Anthracite, bituminous, and lignite coals are produced in massive amounts in the western provinces of Canada.
• Kazakhstan – Kazakhstan is comparatively a tiny global coal exporter compared to other countries. The steadily advancing coal mining industries of Kazakhstan have made it rank 8th among top global exporters. The total export trade value of coal from Kazakhstan in the year 2023 is recorded as 4 billion US dollars.
• Mongolia – Mongolian exports of coal have been on the rise for the past consecutive years. Tavan Tolgoi accounts for the majority of the coal production and has recorded a trade value of 3 billion US dollars in 2023.
• Poland – Poland is also a significant exporter of coal because of the increased industrial production. The total export trade value of coal from Poland in 2023 is 2 billion US dollars.
Coal has become a basic need of mankind; its increasing demand is because of its multiple benefits ranging from energy generation to road construction. The Coal Export Import data has enlisted the below-mentioned countries as the top importers of coal;
• China - China with its overgrowing population has led other Asian states in the coal import with an import trade value of 84.2 billion US dollars in 2023.
• India – The Indian government is focused on fossil fuel generation by reserving coal. Most of the industrial requirements of the nation are fulfilled by International imports; the total import trade value of coal in 2023 is recorded as 32 billion US dollars.
• Japan – The manufacturing industries of the country are increasing their production rate to fuel the economic growth of the nation to a greater extent. Australia and the United States are the top import destinations of coal to Japan, with an import trade value of 25 billion US dollars.
• South Korea – The country imports large amounts of coal for energy needs. The total import value in the year 2023 is recorded as 16 billion US dollars.
• Taiwan - To increase the manufacturing rates of its industries, Taiwan imports a high amount of coal from various nations. The total import trade value of coal in Taiwan in 2023 is 13 billion US dollars.
• Germany – Germany is in the 6th position of the top global coal importers, with an import value of 9 billion US dollars in 2023.
• Turkey – Turkey imports lignite from other nations for its energy needs. The total import value of coal in 2023 is 8 billion US dollars.
• Italy – Italy is a significant consumer of coal because of the high amount of industrial sectors. The total import trade value of the Italian coal imports in 2023 is 7 billion US dollars.
• Netherlands – Netherlands captures the 9th position of the top global coal importers with an import trade value of 6 billion US dollars in 2023.
• Thailand – Thailand is in the 10th position of the global importers of coal, with an import trade value of 5 billion US dollars in 2023.
Que. Mention the total global export of coal in 2023
Ans. The amount of coal exported in 2023 at a global rate is 1.7 billion metric tons.
Que. Who is the top coal exporter of 2023?
Ans. Australia is the top coal exporter of 2023.
Que. Why is coal so important for industries?
Ans. Coal is an ultimate requirement of the industrial sector because it is used for energy generation.
Que. Where can you get the global export-import trade details of coal?
Ans. At Import Globals, you can get a detailed analysis of the export-import trade details of coal.