In the People’s Republic, coal-based electricity costs much less than cleaner alternative energy sources. And while the price of Chinese coal has increased 29% from 2002 to 2005, that’s far below the 79% rise in global coal prices.
Top Coal Consuming Regions
Led by China, Asia-Pacific countries accounted for 65% of world hard coal consumption in 2006 (up 23% since 1996). North America consumed 18% (down 22%) while European Union nations used 7% (down 36%), followed by Russia’s 6% (down 25%).
Top Coal Producers
According to the World Coal Institute, the following countries produced the most hard coal in 2006. Hard coal excludes brown coal, the lowest rank of coal used almost exclusively as fuel to generate steam-electric power.
- China … 2,482 metric tons (46.2% of world total coal production, up 12% from 2000)
- United States … 990 metric tons (18.4%, down 15.5%)
- India … 427 metric tons (8%, down 63.5%)
- Australia … 309 metric tons (5.8%, down 73.6%)
- South Africa … 244 metric tons (4.5%, down 79.2%)
- Russia … 233 metric tons (4.3%, down 80.1%)
- Indonesia … 169 metric tons (3.1%, down 85.6%)
- Poland … 95 metric tons (1.8%, down 91.9%)
- Kazakhstan … 92 metric tons (1.7%, down 92.1%)
- Colombia … 64 metric tons (1.2%, down 94.5%)
Countries other than China have significantly reduced coal production.
Top Coal Exporters
In 2006, the following seven nations exported the most coal by weight.
- Australia … 231 metric tons (33.5% of the top seven coal exporters, up 23.7% from 2000)
- Indonesia … 129 metric tons (18.7%, up 127.1%)
- Russia … 92 metric tons (13.4%, up 168.2%)
- South Africa … 69 metric tons (10%, down 1.4%)
- China … 63 metric tons (9.1%, up 14.3%)
- Colombia … 60 metric tons (8.7%, up 74.4%)
- United States … 45 metric tons (6.5%, down 15.1%)
Russia had the fastest percentage increase in coal exports while America achieved the greatest percentage decrease.
Top Coal Importers
The following seven countries imported the most coal by weight in 2006.
- Japan … 178 metric tons (36.1% of the top seven coal importers, up 22.5% from 2000)
- South Korea … 80 metric tons (16.2%, up 29.7%)
- Chinese Taipei … 64 metric tons (13%, up 41%)
- United Kingdom … 51 metric tons (10.3%, up 117%)
- Germany … 41 metric tons (8.3%, N/A)
- India … 41 metric tons (8.3%, N/A)
- China … 41 metric tons (7.7%, N/A)
Based on available statistics, Japan imported the most coal and grew its imports at the fastest rate.
References for this Article
This article presents independent calculations and insights based on statistical data from the World Coal Institute and Chindia: How China and India Are Revolutionizing Global Business (by Pete Engardio).
For a list of source materials complete with links to the most current information on country-specific GDP, trade partners, imports and exports, visit the Richest Research Sources panel at the top right of the World’s Richest Countries website. That site is a reference toolkit developed specifically for international trade researchers.
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