China produced 1.585 billion tonnes of raw coal in the first four months of 2024, up 6.6% year-on-year, according to the China National Coal Association (CNCA). During the same period, coal imports fell by 5.3% to 153 million tonnes.
Source: CCTV News
China produced 1.585 billion tonnes of raw coal in the first four months of 2024, up 6.6% year-on-year, according to the China National Coal Association (CNCA). During the same period, coal imports fell by 5.3% to 153 million tonnes.
Coal stockpiles have also grown significantly. By the end of April, inventories at coal mining enterprises had reached 89 million tonnes, a 41.7% increase from a year earlier. Coal reserves at major Bohai Rim ports totaled 31.04 million tonnes, up 25%. As of mid-May, coal-fired power plants nationwide held approximately 200 million tonnes in inventory—enough to meet 36 days of demand.
Zhang Hong, spokesperson for the CNCA, stated that domestic production has continued to expand steadily this year, while imports have declined. With ample supply and weakened demand, China’s coal market has entered a supply-heavy phase, and inventories across the country remain at historically high levels. Zhang noted that the market is expected to maintain a relatively loose supply-demand balance throughout the year.
Looking at consumption trends, thermal coal demand is projected to increase, primarily driven by the power sector. Meanwhile, coal use in the chemical industry is also expected to edge up. Overall, total coal consumption in 2024 is forecast to rise by around 1.5% to 2%.
On the supply side, domestic coal production capacity remains strong, with major producing regions—including Shanxi, Shaanxi, Inner Mongolia, and Xinjiang—continuing to release high-efficiency capacity. As a result, China’s total coal output is expected to grow by about 5% for the full year.
Reproduced article do not represent the position of New Energy Era.