OREANDA-NEWS By the end of May 2025, the total quantity of Russian thermal coal exports to China had risen approximately 1.8 times compared to April, reaching the highest monthly level since the beginning of 2024. This information was provided by Kommersant, citing data from Kpler.

Over the final month of spring, China, the largest importer of this type of fuel from Russia, increased its purchases by 7.2% year-on-year, to 4.58 million tons. In addition to China, Russian suppliers have significantly increased exports to other major markets.

For instance, during the reporting period, Russia exported twice as much thermal coal to India as in May 2024, amounting to 1.36 million tons. On a monthly basis, exports in this direction increased by 19%. Shipments to Turkey increased by 10% year-on-year, to 1.72 million tons, and to South Korea — by 2.1 times, to 742.75 thousand.

Nevertheless, a substantial portion of Russian coal enterprises continues to grapple with financial difficulties and operate at a loss. This situation is exacerbated by the decline in global prices for raw materials and the rise in transportation expenses. The ongoing challenges in international transactions due to Western sanctions further hinder the profitability of Russian exporters. Market analysts anticipate that the unprofitability of a significant segment of the Russian coal sector will persist until at least 2030.