- Total exports reach 4.26 mnt in June
- H1 shipments trail previous year’s levels
Colombia’s bulk coal and coke exports recovered in June 2026, with total shipments rising to 4.26 million tonnes (mnt) from 3.33 mnt in May, supported by higher exports to the Netherlands, South Korea and other destinations. Total exports increased 27.9% m-o-m and 5.9% y-o-y from 4.02 mnt in June 2025.
Q-o-q, exports rose sharply to 12.09 mnt in Q2 2026 from 9.56 mnt in Q1, marking an increase of 26.5%. However, cumulative exports during January-June stood at 22.21 mnt, down 5.5% from 23.50 mnt in the corresponding period of 2025, indicating that first-half shipments remained below last year’s level despite the strong quarterly recovery.
Netherlands emerges as largest destination
The Netherlands became the largest destination for Colombian bulk coal and coke exports in June, receiving 0.31 mnt, compared with no shipments in May. On a quarterly basis, exports increased to 1.18 mnt in Q2’26 from 0.9 mnt in Q1’26, reflecting a 31.1% rise.
Despite the quarterly improvement, cumulative exports to the Netherlands during January-June stood at 2.08 mnt, down 18.1% from 2.54 mnt in the same period last year.
Brazil records strongest annual growth among major markets
Exports to Brazil stood at 0.42 mnt in June, down 39.1% m-o-m from 0.69 mnt in May. However, shipments increased 36.7% y-o-y compared with 0.31 mnt exported in June 2025.
Quarterly exports to Brazil increased 28% to 1.66 mnt in Q2, compared with 1.3 mnt in Q1’26. During Jan-Jun 2026, cumulative shipments reached 2.96 mnt, rising sharply by 30.4% from 2.27 mnt a year earlier, making Brazil the strongest-performing major destination during the first half of the year.
South Korean imports rebound
Shipments to South Korea rose sharply to 0.43 mnt in June from 0.24 mnt in May, registering a 79.2% m-o-m increase. Quarterly exports almost doubled to 1.09 mnt in Q2 from 0.54 mnt in Q1, reflecting a 101.9% increase. However, cumulative exports during January-June slipped 7.9% to 1.63 mnt from 1.77 mnt in the corresponding period last year.
Meanwhile, exports to Chile declined 17.9% m-o-m to 0.23 mnt in June from 0.28 mnt in May but remained 6.2% higher y-o-y than 0.22 mnt recorded in June 2025. Quarterly shipments increased 29% to 0.99 mnt in Q2’26 from 0.77 mnt in Q1’26, while cumulative exports during Jan-Jun 2026 rose 18.9% to 1.76 mnt.
India and Taiwan imports remain weak
No bulk coal or coke shipments were recorded to India during June, extending the absence of cargoes for another month. Quarterly exports to India declined to nil in Q2 from 0.1 mnt in Q1, reflecting the absence of shipments during the quarter. During Jan-Jun 2026, exports to India totalled only 0.1 mnt, compared with 2.36 mnt during the corresponding period of 2025, representing a steep 96% decline.
Similarly, Taiwan received no shipments in June. However, quarterly exports increased to 0.33 mnt in Q2’26 from 0.09 mnt in Q1’26. Despite the quarterly recovery, cumulative shipments during January-June declined 77.8% y-o-y to 0.42 mnt from 1.89 mnt in the corresponding period last year.
Outlook
Colombia’s bulk coal and coke exports strengthened during the second quarter, driven by improved shipments to Europe and selected Asian markets. While exports rebounded strongly on both a monthly and quarterly basis, cumulative shipments for the first half of 2026 remained below last year’s levels due to weaker demand from key destinations such as India and Taiwan.
Going forward, export performance is expected to depend on international coal prices, freight rates and procurement trends across major importing countries. Continued demand from Brazil, the Netherlands and South Korea could support shipments, while subdued buying from India may continue to weigh on overall export volumes.
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