20 Countries That Produce the Most Coal

Published on December 16, 2022 at 10:29 am by Ramish Cheema in Lists, News

In this piece, we will take a look at 20 countries that produce the most coal. For more countries, head on over to 5 Countries That Produce the Most Coal.

The global coal market is worth billions of dollars according to a research report from The Business Research Company. The research firm estimates that the market was worth $595 billion last year, and it will sit at $618 billion by the end of this year after growing at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9%. It shares that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has stimulated coal prices, as the global commodities market has been upended because of the war. The Business Research Company adds that from 2022 to 2026, the industry will grow at 3.7% to be worth $715 billion by the end of the forecast period.

Since one of the biggest uses of coal is in power generation, it’s also worthwhile to take a look at this particular market subsegment. Fortunately, a report from Mordor Intelligence analyzes the global coal fired power generation market. It states that the industry generated 10,100 terawatt hours of electricity in 2018, growing from 9,806 terawatt hours in 2017. The firm adds that between 2020 and 2025, the segment will be a small grower, with a CAGR that is lower than 2%. Developing countries continue to rely on coal power plants for their electricity, with India and China accounting for 85% of new coal power generation capacity since 2005.

Today’s piece will take a look at the world’s largest coal producing countries. Some companies that play an important role in the industry are Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE:BTU), Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (NASDAQ:ARLP) and CONSOL Energy Inc. (NYSE:CEIX).

albert-hyseni-iQAF4A0To1g-unsplash

Our Methodology

We used data gathered by British Petroleum, BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP), as part of its Statistical Review of World Energy report published for the global energy industry in 2022. The report covers coal production for all countries in the world for 2021 end.

20 Countries That Produce the Most Coal

20. Romania

Coal Production As Of 2021 in Million Tons: 17.8

Romania is a central European country with a GDP of $731 billion and a GDP per capita of $38,097. It relies on automotive parts, cars, iron, tires, wheat, and petroleum among other products for its exports. Romania is also a co-owner of the International Space Station (ISS), an orbiting space laboratory operated by the U.S. and Russia. It heavily relies on hydroelectric power to produce electricity but is also home to large oil and gas reserves. Romania produced 17.8 million tons of coal in 2021.

19. Ukraine

Coal Production As Of 2021 in Million Tons: 24.9

Ukraine is an eastern European country that is the second largest country in Europe in terms of land mass. Ukraine gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and adopted its current constitution in 1996. The country has been the target of Russia’s brutal invasion throughout this year, which has shocked global commodities markets. Ukraine generates most of its electricity through nuclear plants, and it has the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. The country’s coal output last year stood at 24.9 million tons. The war in Ukraine has increased the demand of energy resources from companies like Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE:BTU), Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (NASDAQ:ARLP) and CONSOL Energy Inc. (NYSE:CEIX).

18. Republic of Bulgaria

Coal Production As Of 2021 in Million Tons: 28.5

The Republic of Bulgaria, or Bulgaria, is one of the smallest countries in the world which ranks at 109 in terms of land mass. It has an economy that is worth $203 billion and a GDP per capita of $27,890. It relies mostly on thermal and nuclear power plants to generate electricity and has also made several contributions to space exploration. Bulgarian technology is used on the ISS, and it is also the first country that grew wheat in space. Bulgaria’s coal production was 28.5 million tons in 2021.

17. Czech Republic

Coal Production As Of 2021 in Million Tons: 31.5

The Czech Republic is a landlocked central European country. The country split from Czechoslovakia in 1993, with the other half being the independent nation of Slovakia. The Czech Republic is known for its car exports. Its primary exporter and one of the largest companies in revenue terms is Skoda. The country also has an electronics manufacturing facility operated by Foxconn. As of 2021, the Czech Republic had produced 31.5 million tons of coal.

16. Mongolia

Coal Production As Of 2021 in Million Tons: 32.3

Mongolia is a landlocked Asian country, which is both the world’s largest landlocked country without a sea and the smallest in terms of population density. The Mongolian economy was worth just $47 billion in 2019, allowing it a GDP per capita of $14,270. The country relies on minerals for its exports, and the largest exports are coal, copper, iron, and gold. Mongolia produced 32.3 million tons of coal last year.

15. Republic of Serbia

Coal Production As Of 2021 in Million Tons: 36.4

The Republic of Serbia is a landlocked central European country that is also one of the oldest regions of the world that have been continuously inhabited since the old stone age. The Serbian economy is worth $164 billion and its GDP per capita is $24,804. The country also has a vibrant agricultural economy, with products such as frozen fruit earning it large amounts of foreign exchange. It is also a net energy exporter, and alongside having some of the largest coal reserves in the world, the Republic of Serbia also produced 36.4 million tons of coal in 2021.

14. Canada

Coal Production As Of 2021 in Million Tons: 46.7

Canada is a North American country that is among the list of the world’s most developed nations. Having access to vast tracts of land, Canada has a strong mining industry that lets it export products such as nickel, potash, titanium, gypsum, and zinc. Canada’s Toronto Stock Exchange is also one of the largest exchanges in the world. The country produced 46.7 million tons of coal last year.

13. Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Coal Production As Of 2021 in Million Tons: 47.8

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam, simply known as Vietnam, is one of the few socialist countries in the world and also one that follows the Chinese growth model. Its economy is worth $1.27 trillion and it has a GDP per capita of $12,881. Vietnam relies mostly on agriculture for its economic output and is among the world’s largest producers of several products. It also churned out 47.8 million tons of coal in 2021.

12. Republic of Colombia

Coal Production As Of 2021 in Million Tons: 59.6

The Republic of Colombia is a South American country with a long history that dates as far back as 12,000 BC. The country adopted its current constitution in 1991, and throughout its history, it has seen significant political conflict. The Colombian economy is worth $940 billion. It produced 59.6 million tons of coal in 2021.

11. Republic of Türkiye

Coal Production As Of 2021 in Million Tons: 85.6

The Republic of Türkiye, often called Turkey, is an Asian-European country that traces its history back to the New Stone Age. Since then, Turkey has seen empires rise and fall, with modern day Turkey emerging in the aftermath of the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the revolutionary leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. The country’s coal output last year stood at 85.6 million tons.

10. Republic of Poland

Coal Production As Of 2021 in Million Tons: 107.6

The Republic of Poland is a central European country with an economy that is worth $1.59 trillion and a GDP per capita of $42,466. It relies primarily on fossil fuel sources for its electricity generation, and its coal industry is also one of the largest employers in the country. Consequently, Poland produced 107.6 million tons of coal in 2021.

9. Republic of Kazakhstan

Coal Production As Of 2021 in Million Tons: 115.7

The Republic of Kazakhstan is a Central Asian country that gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The country has a $569 billion economy and a GDP per capita of $30,178. Kazakhstan is also the world’s largest landlocked country and has a vast amount of natural resources such as coal, uranium, gold, manganese, lead, and zinc. Its 2021 coal output was 115.7 million tons.

8. Federal Republic of Germany

Coal Production As Of 2021 in Million Tons: 126

The Federal Republic of Germany is Europe’s largest economy and the second largest in terms of population on the continent. It is also home to some of the most well-known brands in the world such as BMW, Audi, Adidas, and Siemens. It is also Europe’s largest electricity market and the world’s largest importer of natural gas. Germany produced 126 million tons of coal in 2021. Germany has been extremely reliant on Russia for its energy needs. As it finally begins to diversify its energy sources, American companies like Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE:BTU), Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (NASDAQ:ARLP) and CONSOL Energy Inc. (NYSE:CEIX) are expected to experience a boost in demand from the country.

7. Republic of South Africa (RSA)

Coal Production As Of 2021 in Million Tons: 234.5

The Republic of South Africa (RSA) is an African country that gained independence from the British in 1931. It is also one of the more diverse nations in the world, a fact evident by its recognition of an unbelievable 11 national languages. South Africa is also the only country in Africa with a nuclear power plant. It produced 234.5 million tons of coal in 2021.

6. Russian Federation

Coal Production As Of 2021 in Million Tons: 433.7

The Russian Federation is a transcontinental country that traces its roots back a whopping 2 million years. It is also one of the largest countries in the world in terms of area and has an economy worth $4.6 trillion with a GDP per capita of $31,967. Abundant in natural resources, Russia produced 433.7 million tons of coal last year. As the West puts sanctions on Russian imports, American companies like Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE:BTU), Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (NASDAQ:ARLP) and CONSOL Energy Inc. (NYSE:CEIX) are expected to experience a boost in demand.

Click to continue reading and see 5 Countries That Produce the Most Coal.