Coal exports from Russia in March 2026 increased by 8% compared to the same period last year, reaching 16.9 million tons, according to the newspaper Vedomosti. The growth occurred despite a decrease in demand from China, the largest buyer of Russian coal.
The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz against the backdrop of the war in the Middle East has led to a reorientation of supplies. South Korea increased purchases by 37%, Turkey by 17%, and India by 1% (while compared to February, the growth was 25%). Deliveries to the "other" category of countries increased by 2.2 times – Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and other Asian countries. Also, coal shipments to traders increased by 1.5 times.
Coal is becoming more in demand amid a sharp rise in gas prices around the world - it remains a cheaper fuel. At the same time, exports to China and India are now less profitable for Russia: China is actively mining its own coal and has significant reserves, and the Indian market remains sensitive to price.
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