Coal remains major U.S. export as Asia drives global demand

(LOOTPRESS) – Coal remains a major U.S. export, even as the domestic energy mix shifts toward natural gas and renewables.

In 2024, America exported nearly 110 million tons of coal to countries around the world, with a concentration of buyers in Asia.

This visualization breaks down the top destinations for U.S. coal exports last year. The data for this graphic comes from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). It shows 2024 coal export volumes by destination, measured in millions of tons.

India led the pack with 23.4% of all U.S. coal exports, followed by China (11.5%) and Japan (8.4%). Combined, these three Asian countries accounted for nearly 43% of all American coal exports.

Since 2017, Asia has eclipsed Europe as the leading destination for U.S. coal.

In 2024, India alone