Coal Price in U.S. Loses 14% to $214 per Ton

U.S. Coal Export Price per Ton August 2022

In August 2022, the coal price per ton stood at $213.6 (FOB, US), dropping by -14.1% against the previous month. Over the last seven months, it increased at an average monthly rate of +2.7%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in February 2022 when the average export price increased by 14% against the previous month. The export price peaked at $268.0 per ton in June 2022; however, from July 2022 to August 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination: the country with the highest price was Turkey ($325.0 per ton), while the average price for exports to Morocco ($83.0 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From January 2022 to August 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to South Korea (+19.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

U.S. Coal Export Prices by Type

Average prices varied somewhat for the major types of exported product. In August 2022, the product with the highest price was lignite ($315.1 per ton), while the average price for exports of coal other than lingite stood at $213.6 per ton.

From January 2022 to August 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for the following types: coal other than lingite (+2.7%).

U.S. Coal Exports

In August 2022, the amount of coal exported from the United States expanded slightly to 6.3M tons, surging by 4% compared with the previous month's figure. The total export volume increased at an average monthly rate of +2.9% over the period from January 2022 to August 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in February 2022 when exports increased by 25% against the previous month.

In value terms, coal exports reduced to $1.3B (IndexBox estimates) in August 2022. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a prominent increase from January 2022 to August 2022: its value increased at an average monthly rate of +5.6% over the last seven months. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on August 2022 figures, exports decreased by -26.9% against June 2022 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in February 2022 when exports increased by 43% m-o-m.

U.S. Coal Exports by Type

Coal other than lingite (6.3M tons) was the largest type of coal exported from the United States, accounting for a 99.9% share of total exports. It was followed by lignite (2.9K tons), with less than 0.1% share of total exports.

From January 2022 to August 2022, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of the volume of export of coal other than lingite amounted to +2.9%.

In value terms, coal other than lingite ($1.3B) remains the largest type of coal exported from the United States, comprising 100% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by lignite ($917K), with a 0.1% share of total exports.

From January 2022 to August 2022, the average monthly growth rate of the export volume of coal other than lingite amounted to +5.6%.

U.S. Coal Exports by Country

The Netherlands (854K tons), India (838K tons) and Japan (518K tons) were the main destinations of coal exports from the United States, together accounting for 35% of total exports. These countries were followed by South Korea, Germany, Canada, Brazil, Poland, Turkey, Egypt, China, the UK and Morocco, which together accounted for a further 47%.

From January 2022 to August 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by the UK (with a CAGR of +15.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for coal exported from the United States were the Netherlands ($174M), India ($173M) and Japan ($126M), together comprising 35% of total exports. Brazil, Germany, Turkey, Canada, South Korea, Poland, China, the UK, Egypt and Morocco lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 42%.

the UK, with a CAGR of +29.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform