18.12.202507:21:17UTC+00Coal Pressured by Weak Demand Forecast

Coal prices have remained below $110 per ton, approaching multi-week lows after a report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) predicted a decline in global coal demand towards the end of this decade. The IEA's 2025 annual coal report anticipates a minor increase in demand by approximately 0.5% in 2025, reaching a peak of 8.85 billion tonnes. However, this is expected to plateau and then decrease as significant transformations in energy consumption become apparent. These shifts include a rapid expansion in renewable energy capacity, increased nuclear power generation, and a greater reliance on liquefied natural gas. China—unquestionably the largest consumer, producer, and importer of coal globally—has reaffirmed its aim to reach peak coal consumption before 2030. The IEA predicts a gradual decline in Chinese coal demand over the next five years, supporting a long-term downward trend in the market.