Coal prices climbed toward $120 per ton, reaching their highest level since December 2024, as expectations of resilient global demand outweighed the ongoing transition toward cleaner energy sources. China, the world’s largest coal producer and consumer, continued to add new coal-fired power capacity as Beijing prioritizes energy security and grid reliability. Investors are also awaiting signals from China’s upcoming parliamentary meeting for further demand guidance. The annual “Two Sessions” will take place from March 4 to around March 11, when authorities are expected to release the 15th Five-Year Plan outlining policy objectives for 2026-2030. In the US, President Donald Trump has moved to bolster the struggling coal-fired power sector, allocating $175 million in federal funding to modernize six plants and directing the US Department of Defense to procure electricity from additional facilities.

Coal fell to 118.50 USD/T on February 27, 2026, down 0.55% from the previous day. Over the past month, Coal's price has risen 8.62%, and is up 19.70% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Historically, Coal reached an all time high of 457.80 in September of 2022. Coal - data, forecasts, historical chart - was last updated on March 2 of 2026.

Coal fell to 118.50 USD/T on February 27, 2026, down 0.55% from the previous day. Over the past month, Coal's price has risen 8.62%, and is up 19.70% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Coal is expected to trade at 119.05 USD/MT by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. Looking forward, we estimate it to trade at 125.48 in 12 months time.



Price Day Month Year Date
Crude Oil 70.56 3.539 5.28% 11.63% 3.20% Mar/02
Brent 77.00 4.133 5.67% 14.37% 7.52% Mar/02
Natural gas 2.95 0.0886 3.10% -10.98% -28.49% Mar/02
Heating Oil 2.88 0.2875 11.07% 19.68% 26.44% Mar/02
Coal 118.50 -0.65 -0.55% 8.62% 19.70% Feb/27
TTF Gas 43.21 11.25 35.19% 31.49% -5.67% Mar/02
UK Gas 112.81 34.2400 43.58% 43.67% 6.65% Mar/02
Bitumen 3,523.00 133.00 3.92% 5.16% -4.32% Mar/02
Ethanol 1.79 0 0% 9.48% 4.37% Feb/27
Uranium 86.55 -1.5000 -1.70% -11.95% 32.04% Feb/27
Cobalt 56,290.00 0 0% 0% 144.42% Feb/27
Lead 1,965.03 -1.52 -0.08% 0.03% -1.60% Mar/02
Aluminum 3,186.00 39.10 1.24% 2.60% 21.72% Mar/02
Tin 57,728.00 3294 6.05% 3.17% 84.36% Feb/27
Zinc 3,321.20 1.45 0.04% -0.22% 16.57% Mar/02
Nickel 17,238.63 -456 -2.58% -0.90% 8.21% Mar/02
Palladium 1,784.00 -44.50 -2.43% 1.45% 90.19% Mar/02


Coal
Coal futures are available for trading in the Intercontinental Exchange and on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The standard GC Newcastle contact listed on ICE weights 1,000 metric tonnes. Coal is the major fuel used for generating electricity worldwide. The biggest producer and consumer of coal is China. Other big producers include: United States, India, Australia, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa, Germany and Poland. The biggest exporters of coal are: Indonesia, Australia, Russia, United States, Colombia, South Africa and Kazakhstan. Coal prices displayed in Trading Economics are based on over-the-counter (OTC) and contract for difference (CFD) financial instruments. Our coal prices are intended to provide you with a reference only, rather than as a basis for making trading decisions. Trading Economics does not verify any data and disclaims any obligation to do so.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
118.50 119.15 457.80 48.40 2008 - 2026 USD/MT Daily

News Stream
Coal Hits 14-Month High
Coal prices climbed toward $120 per ton, reaching their highest level since December 2024, as expectations of resilient global demand outweighed the ongoing transition toward cleaner energy sources. China, the world’s largest coal producer and consumer, continued to add new coal-fired power capacity as Beijing prioritizes energy security and grid reliability. Investors are also awaiting signals from China’s upcoming parliamentary meeting for further demand guidance. The annual “Two Sessions” will take place from March 4 to around March 11, when authorities are expected to release the 15th Five-Year Plan outlining policy objectives for 2026-2030. In the US, President Donald Trump has moved to bolster the struggling coal-fired power sector, allocating $175 million in federal funding to modernize six plants and directing the US Department of Defense to procure electricity from additional facilities.
2026-02-27
Coal Hovers Near 1-Year High
Coal prices held above $115 per ton in late February, hovering near their highest level in a year, as expectations of resilient demand offset the longer-term global shift toward cleaner energy sources. China, the world’s largest coal producer and consumer, commissioned 78 GW of new coal-fired power capacity in 2025, marking the highest annual addition in a decade. The expansion underscores Beijing’s emphasis on energy security and grid stability during peak demand periods, even as non-fossil fuel generation capacity surpassed fossil fuel-based capacity for the first time. China retains the world’s largest coal power fleet and accounts for roughly 71% of global coal capacity currently under development. In the US, President Donald Trump has taken steps to support the struggling coal-fired power sector, allocating $175 million in federal funding to modernize six plants and directing the United States Department of Defense to procure electricity from additional facilities.
2026-02-18
Coal Hits One-Year High
Coal prices climbed toward $120 per ton in mid-February, reaching their strongest levels in a year as China, the world’s largest producer and consumer, moved to streamline its coal sector amid signs of peaking consumption. Regulators approved a plan for China Shenhua Energy Co to acquire roughly $19 billion in assets from its parent, China Energy Investment Corp, including coal-to-chemicals, mining, power generation, and logistics operations. The transaction is set to deepen vertical integration and improve supply-chain efficiency, lifting Shenhua’s annual coal production capacity to 512 million tons. In the US, President Donald Trump moved to support the declining coal-fired power sector, directing $175 million in federal funds to upgrade six plants and instructing the Defense Department to purchase electricity from additional facilities.
2026-02-13