Coking Coal Consumption by Region: 2015–2025 Analysis

• 02.12.2025

The regional analysis of coking coal consumption between 2015 and 2025 paints a clear picture of an industry undergoing a significant geographic shift. While total global consumption rose from approximately 715 million tonnes in 2015 to a peak near 760 million tonnes in 2023, the overall trend toward 2025 shows a modest softening, with volumes stabilizing around 750 million tonnes. Beneath this relatively stable aggregate, however, lie sharply contrasting regional patterns.

China, the world’s dominant consumer, remains central to global demand but has entered a plateau phase. After years of incremental increases, consumption stabilizes around 370 million tonnes in 2025. This flattening is closely linked to structural changes in China’s steel sector, including slower construction activity, efficiency improvements, and an evolving industrial footprint.

India, by contrast, experiences sustained and robust growth throughout the decade. Rising from 48 to 66 million tonnes, its consumption expands by more than 37%, driven by aggressive steel capacity additions, rapid urbanization, and strong economic fundamentals. Because India lacks high-quality domestic metallurgical coal reserves, this growth directly translates into increased reliance on imports—positioning the country as one of the most influential demand centers in the global market.

The Southeast Asian region stands out as the fastest-growing market in relative terms, doubling its consumption from 20 to 30 million tonnes. This surge reflects expanding industrialization, large-scale manufacturing developments, and growing integration into global steel value chains. The region’s rapid ascent consolidates its role as a key contributor to the global demand shift.

In contrast, Japan and South Korea show stable or gradually declining trajectories. Both countries retain substantial steelmaking capacity, yet face structural constraints—including aging industrial bases, demographic pressures, and policy frameworks encouraging long-term decarbonization. These factors limit their potential for growth and reduce their relative weight in global consumption.

The Rest of the World segment declines slightly, moving from 235 to around 228 million tonnes, signaling a diminishing role for traditional industrial economies as demand increasingly concentrates in Asia.

Across the decade, the data highlights a fundamental transformation: by 2025, more than 62% of global coking coal demand originates from China, India, and Southeast Asia. This regional consolidation underscores Asia’s position as the core driver of the metallurgical coal market and suggests that future global demand patterns will continue to be shaped by the economic and industrial evolution of these emerging powerhouses.