The forecasted import of coal, excluding anthracite or bituminous, to China shows a progressive upward trend from 2024 to 2028, increasing from 32.848 billion kilograms in 2024 to 35.773 billion kilograms in 2028. In 2023, the imports stood at 31.1 billion kilograms. The year-on-year variations reflect consistent growth, with the import volume increasing by 2.3% annually from 2023 to 2024 and anticipated to grow by approximately 1.9% to 2.1% each subsequent year. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over this five-year span approximates 2.2%.
Future trends to watch for include policy changes addressing environmental concerns, technological advancements in cleaner coal utilization, and potential shifts in China's energy mix favoring renewable sources, which could impact coal import volumes. Additionally, economic fluctuations and international trade relations will also play key roles in shaping these forecasts.
