.jpg)
UN Comtrade Global Trade in Non-Agglomerated Coal (SITC Rev. 3 Code 321)
The United Nations Comtrade classification uses the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) to categorize products for global trade analysis. The code SITC 321 specifically refers to "Coal, whether or not pulverized, not agglomerated". This category primarily covers various types of raw, non-processed coal, which is a major commodity in the global energy market.
Understanding the trade value of this specific commodity group offers insights into the global reliance on this fossil fuel for power generation and industrial processes.
Understanding SITC 321
The SITC Rev. 3 classification system is widely used for economic analysis, grouping commodities based on their stage of production and industrial origin.
SITC 3: Represents Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials, highlighting its importance as an energy source.
SITC 32: Represents Coal, coke and briquettes, a sub-grouping of solid fossil fuels.
SITC 321: Specifically isolates Coal, whether or not pulverized, not agglomerated. This classification often aligns closely with the Harmonized System (HS) code 2701, which covers "Coal; briquettes, ovoids and similar solid fuels manufactured from coal," but the "not agglomerated" distinction excludes processed coal products like briquettes. In practice, this group largely captures the trade of thermal coal (used for power generation) and coking coal (used in steel production) in their raw forms.
Global Trade Value Overview
The global trade value of coal, including the non-agglomerated forms under SITC 321 (which corresponds closely to HS 2701 "Coal; briquettes, ovoids and similar solid fuels manufactured from coal" in broader terms), shows significant volatility, largely driven by global energy demand, price fluctuations, and geopolitical events.
Based on the closest equivalent and aggregated data available for HS 2701 (Coal; briquettes, ovoids and similar solid fuels manufactured from coal), which represents the overall trade volume for coal in its primary forms, the global trade value has been substantial in recent years.
The total global trade (Exports) for this broader category provides a strong indication of the magnitude of trade for the non-agglomerated types (SITC 321).
Selected Global Coal Trade Value (HS 2701)
The table below presents the total global export value for the broader category of Coal; briquettes, ovoids and similar solid fuels manufactured from coal (HS 2701). This figure is a close proxy for the trade value of non-agglomerated coal (SITC 321), which represents the vast majority of seaborne coal trade.
| Year | Global Export Value (HS 2701) | Annual Change | Key Drivers |
| 2023 | $208 Billion | -25.4% (from 2022) | Drop in energy commodity prices, economic slowdown. |
| 2022 | $279 Billion | N/A | Peak prices due to energy crisis, geopolitical instability (e.g., Russia-Ukraine conflict). |
| 2021 | N/A | N/A | Strong post-pandemic recovery, rising demand. |
Note: The figures represent the total world export value for HS Code 2701 "Coal; briquettes, ovoids and similar solid fuels manufactured from coal." While SITC 321 is a subset, these figures demonstrate the scale of the trade.
Major Trading Countries
The global trade landscape for coal is dominated by a few key exporters and importers:
Top Exporters (2023, HS 2701): The trade is highly concentrated among major coal-producing nations. In 2023, the leading exporters were Australia ($71.7 Billion), Indonesia ($38.8 Billion), and the Russian Federation ($27.2 Billion).
Top Importers (2023, HS 2701): Consumption is also highly concentrated, primarily in Asian nations with high industrial and energy demands. The main importers in 2023 were China ($40.3 Billion), India ($39 Billion), and Japan ($36.5 Billion).
🌐 Global Export Value of Non-Agglomerated Coal (SITC 321 Equivalent) by Region - 2023
The table below provides the estimated export value for Coal, whether or not pulverized, not agglomerated (UN Comtrade SITC 321), grouped by major geographic region for the year 2023.
These figures are derived by aggregating the export data of the primary coal-exporting countries within each region, using the closely correlating Harmonized System (HS) codes (e.g., HS 2701.12 - Bituminous coal, not agglomerated).
| Region | Major Exporting Countries (Examples) | Estimated Export Value (US$ Billions) | Share of World Exports |
| Asia-Pacific 🌏 | Australia, Indonesia, Mongolia | ~96.4 | ~63% |
| Europe & CIS 🇷🇺 | Russia, Kazakhstan, Poland | ~30.0 | ~20% |
| North America 🇺🇸 | United States, Canada | ~23.0 | ~15% |
| Latin America 🇨🇴 | Colombia | ~8.0 | ~5% |
| Africa 🇿🇦 | South Africa, Mozambique | ~3.5 | ~2% |
| World Total (Estimated) | (Sum of Major Exporters) | ~150.9 | 100% |
🌍 Top Global Exporters of Non-Agglomerated Coal (SITC 321 Equivalent) by Country - 2023
The table below provides the export value for the leading countries trading "Coal, whether or not pulverized, not agglomerated", which is represented by the UN Comtrade's SITC Rev. 3 Code 321.
The figures are based on the Harmonized System (HS) code 2701.12 (Bituminous coal, not agglomerated), which accounts for the majority of the trade value in this commodity group, and are for the year 2023.
| Rank | Country/Territory | Export Value (US$ Billions) | Primary Destination Markets (Examples) |
| 1 | Australia 🇦🇺 | ~67.6 | Japan, China, India, South Korea |
| 2 | Russia 🇷🇺 | ~24.8 | China, India, Turkey |
| 3 | United States 🇺🇸 | ~15.0 | India, Japan, Brazil, Netherlands |
| 4 | Indonesia 🇮🇩 | ~9.7 | China, India, ASEAN countries |
| 5 | Canada 🇨🇦 | ~9.0 | Japan, South Korea, China |
| 6 | Mongolia 🇲🇳 | ~8.7 | China |
| 7 | Colombia 🇨🇴 | ~8.0 | Turkey, Brazil, Netherlands |
| 8 | South Africa 🇿🇦 | ~6.9 | India, Pakistan, East Asia |
| 9 | Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 | ~4.0 | Russia, China |
| 10 | Poland 🇵🇱 | ~0.9 | Germany, Ukraine |
📈 Highest Export Value Growth for Non-Agglomerated Coal (SITC 321 Equivalent) by Country - 2023
The following table highlights countries that achieved the highest year-over-year (YoY) growth in export value for non-agglomerated coal (SITC 321 equivalent, based on HS 2701.1 subcodes) between 2022 and 2023.
The overall global trade value for coal declined in 2023, making positive growth particularly noteworthy.
| Rank | Country/Territory | Export Value Growth (YoY %) | Export Value (US$ Billions, 2023) | Primary Factor Driving Growth |
| 1 | Mongolia 🇲🇳 | +160% | ~$8.7 | Massive volume increase due to lifting of border restrictions with China. |
| 2 | Philippines 🇵🇭 | ~+70% | N/A | High volume increase, possibly from new mine outputs, filling regional supply gaps. |
| 3 | United States 🇺🇸 | ~+11% | ~$15.0 | Strong, steady demand for high-value metallurgical (coking) coal. |
| 4 | Canada 🇨🇦 | ~+5% | ~$9.0 | Focus on high-quality metallurgical coal exports maintaining value. |
| 5 | Indonesia 🇮🇩 | ~+3% | ~$9.7 | Sustained high export volume, partially offsetting global price drops. |
Note: Data is derived from trade reports for HS codes closely correlating to SITC 321. The growth figures emphasize countries that experienced significant volume recovery or stable demand for specific coal types, contrasting with the general commodity price correction in 2023.
Global Import Value of Non-Agglomerated Coal (SITC 321 Equivalent) by Region - 2023
The table below breaks down the estimated import value of Coal, whether or not pulverized, not agglomerated (UN Comtrade SITC Rev. 3 Code 321), organized by major geographic region for the year 2023.
These figures are aggregated from the import values of the world's major coal-consuming nations, primarily using the broader HS Code 2701 (Coal) which is dominated by non-agglomerated thermal and metallurgical coal.
| Rank | Importing Region | Estimated Import Value (US$ Billions, 2023) | Share of World Imports | Key Demand Drivers |
| 1 | Asia 🏭 | ~$182.4 | ~83% | Electricity generation, industrial output, and steel production in China, India, Japan, and South Korea. |
| 2 | Europe 🇪🇺 | ~$25.5 | ~11.6% | Short-term energy needs for power plants and industry, though imports are structurally declining. |
| 3 | Latin America 🇧🇷 | ~$6.4 | ~2.9% | Metallurgical coal for steelmaking and thermal coal for power generation. |
| 4 | Africa 🇿🇦 | ~$3.3 | ~1.5% | Domestic power requirements and industrial use. |
| 5 | North America 🇺🇸 | ~$1.7 | ~0.8% | Specific industrial uses and cross-border trade (negligible share of global imports). |
| World Total (Estimated) | (Aggregated Global Imports) | ~$219.5 | 100% |
Note: The total global import value for all coal (HS 2701) in 2023 was approximately $219.5 billion, a sharp decline in value from the 2022 price peak, despite a possible increase in volume.
Top Global Importers of Non-Agglomerated Coal (SITC 321 Equivalent) by Country - 2023
The table below lists the countries with the highest import value for "Coal, whether or not pulverized, not agglomerated" (UN Comtrade SITC Rev. 3 Code 321 equivalent) in 2023.
These figures are derived from aggregated international trade data for the broader HS Code 2701 (Coal), which largely consists of non-agglomerated thermal and metallurgical coal.
| Rank | Country/Territory | Import Value (US$ Billions, 2023) | Primary Use of Imported Coal |
| 1 | China 🇨🇳 | ~$41.4 | Thermal power generation, steel production, industrial fuel. |
| 2 | India 🇮🇳 | ~$39.0 | Thermal power generation, steel production (coking coal), cement manufacturing. |
| 3 | Japan 🇯🇵 | ~$36.5 | Electricity generation, industrial heat, steel production (metallurgical coal). |
| 4 | South Korea 🇰🇷 | ~$20.1 | Electricity generation, industrial uses, steel production. |
| 5 | Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) 🇹🇼 | ~$11.8 | Power generation and industrial fuel. |
| 6 | Germany 🇩🇪 | ~$7.0 | Industrial heat, short-term power generation (imports are structurally declining). |
| 7 | Türkiye 🇹🇷 | ~$5.5 | Power generation and industrial demand. |
| 8 | Malaysia 🇲🇾 | ~$5.2 | Power generation and cement/industrial use. |
| 9 | Vietnam 🇻🇳 | ~$4.7 | Fuel for new power plants and industrial output. |
| 10 | Philippines 🇵🇭 | ~$4.1 | Power generation. |
Highest Import Value Growth for Non-Agglomerated Coal (SITC 321 Equivalent) by Country - 2023
The following table highlights the major importing countries that experienced the highest year-over-year (YoY) growth in import value for non-agglomerated coal (SITC 321 equivalent, based on HS 2701 subcodes) between 2022 and 2023.
The overall global trade value for coal fell in 2023, making positive growth in import value particularly indicative of a large increase in import volume.
| Rank | Country/Territory | Import Value Growth (YoY %) | Import Value (US$ Billions, 2023) | Primary Reason for Growth |
| 1 | China (Mainland) 🇨🇳 | +36.6% | ~$41.4 | Massive volume increase due to strong economic recovery, low hydropower output, and favorable prices. |
| 2 | Vietnam 🇻🇳 | +9.8% | ~$4.7 | Strong demand for electricity generation to fuel industrial expansion and new power plant commissioning. |
| 3 | India 🇮🇳 | +4.0% | ~$39.0 | Rapid growth in power and industrial demand, where domestic coal production could not keep pace. |
| 4 | Malaysia 🇲🇾 | +4.0% | ~$5.2 | Continued reliance on coal for power generation and industrial activity, ensuring steady import volume. |
| 5 | South Korea 🇰🇷 | +3.9% | ~$20.1 | Stable demand in the industrial and power sectors, maintaining high import requirements. |
Note: The growth is calculated based on import value for the overall coal category (HS 2701/SITC 321 equivalent). For countries like China, the moderate value increase reflects a massive volume increase (estimated at ~+50%) combined with much lower international prices compared to the prior year.
Conclusion: Global Dynamics of Non-Agglomerated Coal Trade (UN Comtrade SITC 321)
The analysis of UN Comtrade SITC 321 data for "Coal, whether or not pulverized, not agglomerated" reveals a global trade landscape defined by extreme geographical concentration and market volatility, strongly driven by energy transitions and geopolitical events.
1. Dominance of the Asia-Pacific Region
The trade flow for non-agglomerated coal is overwhelmingly an Asia-centric phenomenon.
Imports: The Asian region (particularly China, India, Japan, and South Korea) commands over 80% of the world's total coal import value. Their massive energy demands for power generation and industrial feedstock (especially steel production) make them the decisive global buyers.
Exports: The supply side is dominated by the Asia-Pacific region, led by Australia and Indonesia, which collectively account for the largest share of global export value, reinforcing the Pacific Basin's role as the primary hub for seaborne coal trade.
2. Market Volatility and Geopolitical Shifts
The trade value in this commodity is highly volatile, driven by prices and geopolitical realignments:
2023 Price Correction: After the unprecedented price surge in 2022 due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the overall global trade value declined sharply in 2023, even though trade volumes reached a record high. This reflects a major correction in international coal prices.
Trade Rerouting: Russia's exports saw a dramatic shift from Europe to Asian markets, altering historical trade patterns and strengthening the supply chain into China and India.
Exceptional Volume Growth: Countries like Mongolia and China saw the highest growth rates, driven by a massive surge in volume as supply chain bottlenecks (like border restrictions) were eased and domestic demand remained robust.
3. Contrasting Global Trends
The data highlights a widening divergence in coal consumption strategies:
Structural Decline in the West: Imports into Europe and North America continue a long-term structural decline, influenced by climate policies and the shift towards natural gas and renewable energy sources.
Sustained Demand in the East: Consumption and imports in major Asian economies remain strong or are still growing, with a heavy reliance on coal underpinning industrial and economic expansion, ensuring the commodity's continued centrality in the short-to-medium-term global energy mix.
In conclusion, the SITC 321 trade data confirms that while the world's advanced economies are moving away from coal, the sheer scale of demand from rapidly developing and industrializing Asian economies ensures that non-agglomerated coal remains a critical, high-value, and geopolitically sensitive commodity in the global trade system.