Bituminous coal imports in the United Arab Emirates: data, top suppliers and prices
The United Arab Emirates imported $164.7 million of bituminous coal in 2024 (1.82 million tonnes). Value fell 27% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2023, at $225.5 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $164.7M | 1.82M t |
| 2023 | $225.5M | 1.65M t |
| 2022 | $56.3M | 251.1K t |
| 2021 | $156.9M | 1.59M t |
| 2020 | $107.0M | 1.46M t |
| 2019 | $109.0M | 1.13M t |
| 2018 | $129.6M | 1.06M t |
| 2017 | $100.3M | 1.48M t |
Where the United Arab Emirates imports bituminous coal from
South Africa alone supplied 93% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $152.9M | 93% |
| United States | $11.8M | 7.2% |
| Tanzania | $0K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.09 per kg, 36% below the world average of $0.14, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Bituminous coal exports from the United Arab Emirates
In 2024, the United Arab Emirates exported bituminous coal worth $43.2 million (187.3 thousand tonnes). One buyer market dominates: South Korea accounted for 100% of the value.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | $43.0M | 100% |
| Malaysia | $134K | 0.3% |
| Estonia | $35K | 0.1% |
| India | $14K | 0% |
| China | $1K | 0% |
| Saudi Arabia | $1K | 0% |
| Belgium | $0K | 0% |
| Poland | $0K | 0% |
| Pakistan | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Arab Emirates?
The shipment records behind United Arab Emirates bituminous coal imports (HS 2701.12): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 2701.12: Coal: bituminous, whether or not pulverised, but not agglomerated.
Common questions
What is the value of bituminous coal imported by the United Arab Emirates?
The United Arab Emirates imported bituminous coal worth $164.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.82 million tonnes. That ranks it 41st of 123 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 27% on 2023.
Which countries supply bituminous coal to the United Arab Emirates?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 93% of the value ($152.9 million), followed by the United States (7%) and Tanzania (0%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 3 supplier countries in total. South Africa grew fastest among the top ten, up 25% on the year.
What is the average import price of bituminous coal per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.09 per kg in 2024, 36% below the world average of $0.14 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of bituminous coal to the United Arab Emirates changed since 2017?
Imports went from $100.3 million in 2017 to $164.7 million in 2024, an increase of 64%. The peak was 2023 at $225.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $131.2 million a year.
Does the United Arab Emirates also export bituminous coal?
Yes. The United Arab Emirates exported $43.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to South Korea, Malaysia and Estonia. On balance the United Arab Emirates is a net importer of this product, by about $121.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for bituminous coal?
The HS code for bituminous coal is subheading 2701.12. It sits in HS chapter 27 (mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2701 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For the United Arab Emirates, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
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