Surge in U.S. Coal Exports: A 2024 Overview
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Updated on: February 4, 2025, at 09:05 AM
Coal Export Numbers Hit Record Highs
In June 2024, the United States witnessed coal exports reach a staggering total of 10 million short tons, marking the highest monthly figure since October 2018, according to data from the Short-Term Energy Outlook data browser. The annual average for U.S. coal exports throughout 2024 was noted at approximately 9.0 million short tons—a significant increase from just a few years prior.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Short-Term Energy Outlook
The Composition of U.S. Coal Exports
The coal exported by the United States is categorized into two primary types: steam (or thermal) coal and metallurgical coal. Steam coal serves as a crucial resource for electricity generation in coal-fired power plants and is also utilized for heating residential and commercial spaces. Conversely, metallurgical coal is mainly involved in steel production; thus its demand fluctuates directly with the steel market.
Future Projections for Coal Trade
The Short-Term Energy Outlook report anticipates that U.S. coal exports will surpass the mark of 10 million short tons only during December in both 2025 and again in 2026.