The historical hard coal imports to the Netherlands saw significant fluctuations. Starting from a relatively stable period in the early 2010s with some minor annual decreases and increases, there was a noticeable drop from 2017 onwards, peaking in 2020 with a major -42.84% decrease. Following this low point, imports have somewhat stabilized and even saw a recovery in 2021 with a 41.01% increase, followed by a steady rise through 2023. By 2023, the volume of imports stood at 13.57 million metric tons.
Looking forward, the forecast indicates a slight decline in imports, with the 5-year Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) projected at -1.24%. This suggests a slow but consistent decrease in imports. By 2028, the Netherlands is expected to import around 12.56 million metric tons, reflecting a -6.03% growth rate from the current period.
Future trends to watch for:
- Impact of environmental policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
- Substitution of coal with renewable energy sources.
- Potential economic factors that might influence industrial demand for hard coal.
