We use cookies to improve your experience and for marketing. Read our cookie policy or manage cookies.

Accept essential cookies
Accept all cookies
South Africa - Coal - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights
Report Update: Feb 1, 2025

South Africa - Coal - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

Single report
Sent by email within 24h (Mon-Fri)
What's the difference?
Subscription
Online access and download
from $350/month

Get instant access to more than 2 million reports, dashboards, and datasets on the IndexBox Platform.

View Pricing
Oct 7, 2024

South Africa's Coal Export Drops Significantly to $7.9 Billion in 2023

South Africa Coal Exports

In 2023, approx. 72M tons of coal were exported from South Africa; waning by -15.1% on 2022. In general, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 when exports increased by 37%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at 85M tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2023, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, coal exports reduced remarkably to $7.9B (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded noticeable growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 with an increase of 122%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $13.4B, and then reduced notably in the following year.South Africa Coal Exports By Country (Million USD)

COUNTRYExport Value of Coal in South Africa (million USD)
20132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
India1,5781,8621,7161,8432,2722,6662,4881,9582,0903,1263,156
South Korea11.023.017.018164955525078.63661,420676
Mozambique12184.542.830.998.614088.143.5183671441
Japan43.510.48.9N/A25.213.222.14.333.0279396
Taiwan (Chinese)46499.069.558.524524073.957.2223481387
Netherlands56871313115514627543.816.51771,685327
Italy17510721622060.013.8N/AN/A68.2889297
Pakistan1942422053046838097696521,078614171
China942191N/A2.60.1N/AN/A29.2581144133
Others1,7491,7521,6601,4011,5731,5669881,0871,2254,0741,877
Total5,8465,0834,0664,1965,7526,2784,7243,9266,02313,3837,860

Exports by Country

India (29M tons) was the main destination for coal exports from South Africa, with a 41% share of total exports. Moreover, coal exports to India exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, South Korea (6M tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Mozambique (5M tons), with a 7% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of volume to India totaled +3.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Korea (+43.4% per year) and Mozambique (+11.0% per year).

In value terms, India ($3.2B) remains the key foreign market for coal exports from South Africa, comprising 40% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Korea ($676M), with an 8.6% share of total exports. It was followed by Mozambique, with a 5.6% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of value to India totaled +7.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Korea (+51.0% per year) and Mozambique (+13.8% per year).

Exports by Type

Coal other than lignite (72M tons) was the largest type of coal exported from South Africa, with a 99.9% share of total exports. It was followed by lignite (2.1 tons), with less than 0.1% share of total exports.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of the volume of coal other than lignite exports was relatively modest.

In value terms, coal other than lignite ($7.9B) remains the largest type of coal exported from South Africa, comprising 99.9% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by lignite ($22K), with less than 0.1% share of total exports.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of coal other than lignite exports stood at +3.0%.

Export Prices by Country

In 2023, the coal price amounted to $109 per ton (FOB, South Africa), declining by -30.9% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, enjoyed a noticeable increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 83% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $158 per ton in 2022, and then contracted significantly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2023, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($135 per ton), while the average price for exports to Vietnam ($77 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Vietnam (+10.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the coal market in South Africa. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

Product coverage:

    Country coverage:

    • South Africa

    Data coverage:

    • Market volume and value
    • Per Capita consumption
    • Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
    • Trade (exports and imports) in South Africa
    • Export and import prices
    • Market trends, drivers and restraints
    • Key market players and their profiles

    Reasons to buy this report:

    • Take advantage of the latest data
    • Find deeper insights into current market developments
    • Discover vital success factors affecting the market

    This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

    In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

    1. How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
    2. How to load your idle production capacity
    3. How to boost your sales on overseas markets
    4. How to increase your profit margins
    5. How to make your supply chain more sustainable
    6. How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
    7. How to outsource production to other countries
    8. How to prepare your business for global expansion

    While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

    1. 1. INTRODUCTION

      Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

      1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
      2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND AI PLATFORM
      3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
      4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

    2. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

      A Quick Overview of Market Performance

      1. KEY FINDINGS
      2. MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO

    3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

      Understanding the Current State of The Market and Its Prospects

      1. MARKET SIZE
      2. MARKET STRUCTURE
      3. TRADE BALANCE
      4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION
      5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2030

    4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCT

      Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

      This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
      1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
      2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
      3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCT
      4. MOST TRADED PRODUCT
      5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCT FOR EXPORT

    5. 5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

      Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

      This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
      1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
      2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
      3. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
      4. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

    6. 6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

      Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Exports

      This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
      1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
      2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
      3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
      4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
      5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

    7. 7. PRODUCTION

      The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

      1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE

    8. 8. IMPORTS

      The Largest Import Supplying Countries

      1. IMPORTS FROM 2012–2024
      2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY
      3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY

    9. 9. EXPORTS

      The Largest Destinations for Exports

      1. EXPORTS FROM 2012–2024
      2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY
      3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY

    10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

      The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

      This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO

    11. LIST OF TABLES

      1. Key Findings In 2024
      2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
      3. Market Value, 2012–2024
      4. Per Capita Consumption In 2012-2024
      5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      7. Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
      8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      10. Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024

    12. LIST OF FIGURES

      1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
      2. Market Value, 2012–2024
      3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
      4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
      5. Trade Balance, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
      6. Trade Balance, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
      7. Per Capita Consumption, 2012-2024
      8. Market Volume Forecast to 2030
      9. Market Value Forecast to 2030
      10. Products: Market Size And Growth, By Type
      11. Products: Average Per Capita Consumption, By Type
      12. Products: Exports And Growth, By Type
      13. Products: Export Prices And Growth, By Type
      14. Production Volume And Growth
      15. Exports And Growth
      16. Export Prices And Growth
      17. Market Size And Growth
      18. Per Capita Consumption
      19. Imports And Growth
      20. Import Prices
      21. Production, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
      22. Production, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
      23. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
      24. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
      25. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
      26. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      27. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      28. Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
      29. Exports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
      30. Exports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
      31. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
      32. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      33. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      34. Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024

    Recommended posts

    Free Data: Coal - South Africa
    Table
    Coal - South Africa - Table
    Dashboard
    Coal - South Africa - Dashboard
    Report
    Coal - South Africa - Report