India’s coal imports remained steady at 201.30 million tonnes (MT) during April-December 2024, slightly lower than 201.52 MT recorded in the same period last year, according to data from mjunction services, a leading e-auction platform. In December 2024, coal imports declined to 19.28 MT, compared to 23.35 MT in December 2023. Segment-wise, non-coking coal imports dropped to 128.85 MT from 133.46 MT, while coking coal imports fell to 40.64 MT from 42.81 MT in the same period of FY 2023-24. The decline in imports is attributed to high stock levels in the domestic market and lower-than-expected demand, a trend expected to persist, according to mjunction MD & CEO Vinaya Varma.

 

Meanwhile, Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy has reiterated the government's focus on reducing imports and boosting domestic production to enhance energy security. Coal remains a key component of India’s energy mix, with the country being the second-largest coal consumer globally and thermal power plants generating 74% of the nation’s electricity. Reflecting the government’s push for self-reliance, domestic coal production surged by 6.11%, reaching 726.29 MT in April-December 2024, compared to 684.45 MT in the same period of 2023-24.