Coal prices climbed above $115 per ton in mid-February, approaching 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.

Coal fell to 116.15 USD/T on February 19, 2026, down 0.56% from the previous day. Over the past month, Coal's price has risen 5.64%, and is up 12.22% 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 February 21 of 2026.

Coal fell to 116.15 USD/T on February 19, 2026, down 0.56% from the previous day. Over the past month, Coal's price has risen 5.64%, and is up 12.22% 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 116.87 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 123.13 in 12 months time.



Price Day Month Year Date
Crude Oil 66.48 0.080 0.12% 9.67% -5.57% Feb/20
Brent 71.76 0.100 0.14% 9.99% -3.59% Feb/20
Natural gas 3.05 0.0510 1.70% -37.50% -26.20% Feb/20
Heating Oil 2.58 -0.0318 -1.22% 6.27% 6.22% Feb/20
Coal 116.15 -0.65 -0.56% 5.64% 12.22% Feb/19
TTF Gas 31.55 -1.97 -5.89% -19.53% -31.28% Feb/20
UK Gas 77.95 -4.1198 -5.02% -24.82% -29.84% Feb/20
Ethanol 1.72 0.0175 1.03% 8.86% -5.75% Feb/20
Uranium 89.40 0.1000 0.11% 4.87% 38.18% Feb/20
Cobalt 56,290.00 0 0% 0% 161.21% Feb/19
Lead 1,969.23 13.00 0.66% -2.78% -1.98% Feb/20
Aluminum 3,101.90 30.05 0.98% -0.57% 15.95% Feb/20
Tin 45,640.00 -278 -0.61% -7.63% 36.66% Feb/19
Zinc 3,377.95 36.85 1.10% 6.63% 15.35% Feb/20
Nickel 17,435.00 135 0.78% -3.00% 12.63% Feb/20
Palladium 1,780.00 84.00 4.95% -5.44% 82.38% Feb/20


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
116.15 116.80 457.80 48.40 2008 - 2026 USD/MT Daily

News Stream
Coal Marches Toward Fresh 1-Year High
Coal prices climbed above $115 per ton in mid-February, approaching 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
Coal Slips on Trump Industry Push
Coal prices fell below $115 per ton, touching a near two-week low after US President Donald Trump unveiled plans to ramp up domestic coal production and increase reliance on coal-fired power plants to meet rising electricity demand. Trump directed the Defense Department to purchase electricity from coal plants to power military operations and allocated funds to upgrade six facilities. Meanwhile, the China Coal Transportation and Distribution Association cut its 2026 coal import forecast to 465 million tons from 480 million projected three weeks ago. The group also expects domestic output to reach 4.86 billion tons this year, up from a record 4.8 billion tons last year, adding that production could rise further if imports decline sharply. The revised outlook follows Indonesia’s move to curb thermal coal shipments in an effort to stabilize prices, adding another layer of uncertainty to global supply dynamics.
2026-02-11