China’s coal imports surge 30% y-o-y in June on falling domestic output

• June coal imports hit highest monthly level in 2026
• Stronger buying ends two-month import decline trend

China’s coal imports rebounded strongly in June 2026, reaching 42.78 million tonnes (mnt), according to data released by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) on 14 July. Imports increased 29.5% year on year (y-o-y) from 33.04 mnt in June 2025 and 28.6% month on month (m-o-m) from 33.27 mnt in May 2026, marking the highest monthly import volume recorded so far this year.

The recovery followed two consecutive months of annual decline. Coal imports had fallen 12.5% y-o-y in April and 7.7% y-o-y in May’26, before rebounding sharply in Jun’26

June recovery lifts H1 coal imports above 225 mnt

The strong June performance pushed China’s cumulative coal imports to 225.41 mnt during January-June 2026, up 1.7% y-o-y from 221.76 mnt in the corresponding period of 2025, according to GACC data.

Despite weaker import volumes in April and May, the sharp increase in June offset the earlier declines, lifting total coal imports above 225 mnt during the first half of 2026.

Factors behind increased imports

The increase was mainly driven by higher arrivals of previously contracted cargoes and stronger procurement by power producers and industrial consumers. Demand also received support from preparations for the summer season, when electricity consumption typically rises across the country. China’s power load reached a record 1.518 billion kilowatts ​on 10 July, exceeding the previous peak ‌by 10 million kilowatts, the country’s state planner said in a statement. The surge was driven by industrial ​activity, growth in EV charging and data services and air-conditioning demand during hot weather, ​the National Development and Reform ​Commission said.

Additionally, ongoing supply tightness in domestic coking coal following a Shanxi mine accident boosted demand for imports.

Market outlook

Market participants will continue to monitor domestic coal production, inventory levels at power plants and ports, and power demand trends to assess the sustainability of import growth. As the world’s largest coal importer, China’s coal buying patterns remain a key indicator for the global thermal coal market and can significantly influence international coal trade flows and prices.