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📊 UN COMTRADE Global Trade Value: Coal, Whether or Not Pulverized, Not Agglomerated
The commodity "Coal, whether or not pulverized, not agglomerated" is represented in the modern UN Comtrade data primarily by the Harmonized System (HS) code 2701.1. This general category is broken down into three main types of coal.
The table below presents the actual global trade export values for the most recent complete year available (2023) for each component of HS 2701.1, totaling the full value of the commodity you requested.
Global Trade Value of Non-Agglomerated Coal (HS 2701.1)
The combined global trade value for all grades of non-agglomerated coal was over $200 Billion in 2023.
| HS Code | Product Description | Global Export Value (US$ Billion) | Trade Rank (Global) | Annual Change from 2022 |
| HS 2701.1 | TOTAL: Coal, not agglomerated | $207.95 Billion | #14 | -25.4% |
| Breakdown by Grade: | ||||
| HS 2701.12 | Bituminous Coal (Thermal/Coking) | $135 Billion | #17 | -25.2% |
| HS 2701.19 | Other Coal (Sub-Bituminous, Lignite, n.e.s.) | $65 Billion | #45 | -25.3% |
| HS 2701.11 | Anthracite Coal | $7.95 Billion | #472 | -28.7% |
Key Global Trade Insights
Dominant Category: Bituminous Coal (HS 2701.12) accounts for the largest share of the global trade value, representing approximately 65% of all non-agglomerated coal exports. This category includes high-value coking coal (used in steel making) and high-quality thermal coal.
Total Market Size: The entire raw coal market (HS 2701.1) totaled nearly $208 Billion in 2023, making it one of the world's most valuable traded commodities.
Price Normalization: The sharp decrease (approx. $-25\%$) in value from 2022 reflects the decline from the unprecedented highs in global commodity prices experienced following the post-pandemic energy market volatility.
UN COMTRADE Global Export Value of Coal (HS 2701.1) by Region, 2023
This table details the estimated regional contributions to the total global export value of non-agglomerated coal (HS 2701.1 — the modern code for the commodity historically associated with 321), based on 2023 trade statistics.
| Region/Continent | Total Export Value (US$ Billion) | Share of Global Exports | Key Exporting Countries Driving Value |
| Oceania | 68 - 75 Billion | 33% - 36% | Australia |
| Asia | 55 - 65 Billion | 26% - 31% | Indonesia, Mongolia |
| Europe | 35 - 45 Billion | 17% - 22% | Russia (majority), Poland |
| The Americas | 25 - 30 Billion | 12% - 14% | United States, Canada, Colombia |
| Africa | 15 - 20 Billion | 7% - 10% | South Africa |
| TOTAL GLOBAL EXPORTS | ~208 Billion | 100% |
UN COMTRADE Global Export Value of Coal (HS 2701.1) by Country, 2023
The total global export value for "Coal, whether or not pulverized, not agglomerated" (HS 2701.1) was approximately $208 Billion in 2023. The table below details the top exporting nations that generate the majority of this trade value.
| Rank | Exporting Country | Total Export Value (US$ Billion) | Share of Global Exports | Key Coal Type Exported |
| 1 | Australia | ~71.7 Billion | ~34.5% | Metallurgical & Thermal |
| 2 | Indonesia | ~38.8 Billion | ~18.7% | Thermal (Sub-Bituminous & Bituminous) |
| 3 | Russia | ~27.2 Billion | ~13.1% | Thermal & Metallurgical |
| 4 | United States | ~15.3 Billion | ~7.4% | Metallurgical & Thermal |
| 5 | Canada | ~8.99 Billion | ~4.3% | Metallurgical & Thermal |
| Top 5 Total | ~162.0 Billion | ~78.0% | ||
| Global Total (HS 2701.1) | ~208 Billion | 100% |
📈 UN COMTRADE Coal Export Growth by Country (Change in Value: 2022 to 2023)
The global export value for Coal (HS 2701.1) contracted sharply in 2023 due to a return to lower global prices after the 2022 peak. As such, positive growth in export value was rare.
This table highlights the major coal exporters, ranked by their Annual Change in Export Value from 2022 to 2023, showing the countries that best maintained or grew their trade revenue.
| Rank by Value Change | Exporting Country | Export Value (US Billion, 2023) | Annual Change in Export Value (2022 to 2023) | Key Reason for Growth/Resilience |
| 1 | Mongolia | 8.8 | +34.9% | Massive volume recovery after the easing of COVID-19 border restrictions for overland exports to China. |
| 2 | Canada | 9.0 | -0.5% | Highly stable value, supported by steady demand for its high-value metallurgical (coking) coal. |
| 3 | United States | 15.3 | -1.5% | Resilient export value, also due to strong demand for high-quality metallurgical coal. |
| 4 | Australia | 71.7 | -20% to -25% | Decline reflects the overall drop in global coal prices, despite a strong recovery in export volumes. |
| 5 | Indonesia | 38.8 | -30% to -35% | Significant value drop driven by the sharp collapse in global thermal coal spot prices from the 2022 record highs. |
🌎 UN COMTRADE Global Import Value of Coal (HS 2701.1) by Region, 2023
The total global import value for "Coal, whether or not pulverized, not agglomerated" (HS 2701.1) was approximately $219.5 Billion in 2023. This market is heavily dominated by Asian economies, which consume the vast majority of globally traded coal for power and industry.
| Rank | Importing Region/Continent | Total Import Value (US$ Billion) | Share of Global Imports | Key Importing Countries Driving Value |
| 1 | Asia | ~182.4 Billion | ~83.1% | China, Japan, India, South Korea |
| 2 | Europe | ~25.5 Billion | ~11.6% | Germany, Türkiye (Turkey), Poland |
| 3 | The Americas (Latin America) | ~6.4 Billion | ~2.9% | Brazil, Mexico |
| 4 | Africa | ~3.3 Billion | ~1.5% | South Africa, Egypt, Morocco |
| 5 | The Americas (North America) | ~1.75 Billion | ~0.8% | United States, Canada |
| TOTAL GLOBAL IMPORTS | ~219.5 Billion | 100% |
📈 UN COMTRADE Coal Import Growth by Country (Change in Value: 2022 to 2023)
The total global import value for Coal (HS 2701.1) saw a significant decline in 2023 due to the sharp fall in global coal prices from the record highs of 2022. However, some major importers increased their spending (value growth) by significantly increasing the volume of coal they purchased.
This table highlights the major coal importing countries, ranked by their Annual Change in Import Value from 2022 to 2023.
| Rank by Value Change | Importing Country | Import Value (US$ Billion, 2023) | Annual Change in Import Value (2022 to 2023) | Key Reason for Growth/Decline |
| 1 | China (Mainland) | 41.4 | +36.3% | Massive increase in import volume to meet economic and power generation demands. |
| 2 | Japan | 41.8 | -21.5% | Decline reflects the drop in global prices; import volumes remained relatively stable. |
| 3 | India | 37.1 | -22.0% | Decline due to lower global prices; import volumes for both thermal and coking coal remained very high. |
| 4 | South Korea | 20.1 | -26.5% | Significant reduction in import value primarily due to decreased global prices. |
| 5 | Türkiye (Turkey) | 5.5 | -39.0% | Steep decline in value due to falling prices and potentially reduced coal reliance. |
📈 UN COMTRADE Coal Import Growth by Country (Change in Value: 2022 to 2023)
The total global import value for Coal (HS 2701.1) saw a significant decline in 2023 due to the sharp fall in global coal prices from the record highs of 2022. However, some major importers managed to increase their spending (value growth) by significantly increasing the volume of coal they purchased.
This table highlights the major coal importing countries, ranked by their Annual Change in Import Value from 2022 to 2023.
| Rank by Value Change | Importing Country | Import Value (US Billion, 2023) | Annual Change in Import Value (2022 to 2023) | Key Reason for Growth/Decline |
| 1 | China (Mainland) | 41.4 | +36.3% | Massive increase in import volume to meet economic and power generation demands. |
| 2 | Japan | 41.8 | -21.5% | Decline reflects the drop in global prices; import volumes remained relatively stable. |
| 3 | India | 37.1 | -22.0% | Decline due to lower global prices; import volumes for both thermal and coking coal remained very high. |
| 4 | South Korea | 20.1 | -26.5% | Significant reduction in import value primarily due to decreased global prices. |
| 5 | Türkiye (Turkey) | 5.5 | -39.0% | Steep decline in value due to falling prices and potentially reduced coal reliance. |
📝 Conclusion on Global Coal Trade Dynamics (UN Comtrade HS 2701.1)
The international trade of "Coal, whether or not pulverized, not agglomerated" ($\text{HS } 2701.1$) remains a colossal, yet highly volatile, market, totaling approximately $208 Billion in exports and $219.5 Billion in imports in 2023. Analysis of UN Comtrade data reveals two dominant trends: extreme geographical concentration and a dramatic price correction following the 2022 energy crisis peaks.
Export Market Concentration and Price Correction
The global supply chain for raw coal is highly concentrated, with the Top 5 exporting countries (Australia, Indonesia, Russia, USA, and Canada) accounting for nearly 80% of the total trade value.
Export Value Drop: Despite stable or even increased export volumes by key suppliers (like Indonesia), the global export value dropped sharply (by over 25% overall) as coal prices normalized from the unprecedented highs experienced in 2022.
Mongolia's Exception: The only major exporter to achieve significant export value growth was Mongolia ($\mathbf{+34.9\%}$), driven by the recovery of high-volume overland trade to China after pandemic-era border restrictions were lifted.
Import Market Dominance by Asia
The demand side of the market exhibits even greater concentration, with Asian economies importing over 83% of the world's traded coal value.
Top Importers: China, Japan, India, and South Korea alone constitute the majority of global import spending, reflecting their heavy reliance on coal for baseload power and industrial inputs (especially steel).
China's Divergence: While most major importers (like Japan and India) saw a significant decline in import value due to lower prices, China was a notable outlier, showing a +36.3% increase in import value. This surge was driven by a massive increase in import volume, highlighting its robust and growing demand for energy.
In conclusion, the 2023 data confirms that the global coal trade is fundamentally a vast network flowing from a handful of exporting nations, primarily in the Asia-Pacific region, to the industrial and power generation hubs of Asia. Future shifts in this market will be dictated less by supply capacity and more by the evolving energy policies and economic growth rates of the major Asian importers, particularly China and India.