GCC: Coal Market 2025

Coal Market Size in GCC

In 2022, the GCC coal market increased by X% to $X, rising for the third consecutive year after three years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a resilient expansion. As a result, consumption attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Coal Production in GCC

In value terms, coal production plummeted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a temperate increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the production volume increased by X,100%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Coal Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2022, the amount of coal exported in GCC shrank sharply to X tons, with a decrease of X% against 2021 figures. Over the period under review, exports, however, enjoyed significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of X%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, coal exports declined markedly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by X%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Oman (X tons) represented the key exporter of coal, committing X% of total exports. It was distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Saudi Arabia (X tons), together generating a X% share of total exports.

Oman was also the fastest-growing in terms of the coal exports, with a CAGR of X% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Saudi Arabia (X%) and the United Arab Emirates (X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Oman (X p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates saw its share reduced by X% and X% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Oman ($X) emerged as the largest coal supplier in GCC, comprising X% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a X% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Oman stood at X%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United Arab Emirates (X% per year) and Saudi Arabia (X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, jumping by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a prominent increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the export price increased by X%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Oman ($X per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (X%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Coal Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2022, imports of coal in GCC expanded slightly to X tons, picking up by X% against the year before. Overall, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, coal imports surged to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by X% against 2020 indices. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates dominates imports structure, accounting for X tons, which was near X% of total imports in 2022. The following importers - Oman (X tons), Kuwait (X tons), Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Bahrain (X tons) - together made up X% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to coal imports into the United Arab Emirates stood at X%. At the same time, Oman (X%) and Bahrain (X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Oman emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in GCC, with a CAGR of X% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Saudi Arabia (X%) and Kuwait (X%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Oman (X p.p.) and Bahrain (X p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates saw its share reduced by X% and X% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported coal in GCC, comprising X% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Bahrain ($X), with a X% share of total imports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with a X% share.

In the United Arab Emirates, coal imports expanded at an average annual rate of X% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Bahrain (X% per year) and Saudi Arabia (X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by X% against the previous year. Import price indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, coal import price increased by X% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of X% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Bahrain ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bahrain (X%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform