Vietnam’s coal exports dropped in October, with volumes reaching 74,258 tonnes, valued at US$15.81 million. This represents an 8.1 percent decrease in volume and a 15.4 percent decline in value compared to September, when 80,839 tonnes were exported, generating US$18.69 million.
Year-to-date figures show a mixed performance. From January to October, coal exports totalled 540,413 tonnes, a slight 1.5 percent increase in volume compared to the same period in 2023. However, export value fell sharply by 25.6 percent, reaching only US$130.99 million.
The decline in value both for October and year-to-date underscores challenges in the coal sector, including fluctuating global prices and demand shifts toward cleaner energy sources. While volume stability offers some optimism, addressing value declines will be critical for sustaining the sector’s contribution to Vietnam’s exports if that is indeed something Vietnam wants to continue.
See also: Coal Power in Vietnam: Industry Overview
Vietnam’s coal exports, October vs. September 2024
| October | September | MoM | YTD | |
| Total | 15,813,386 | 18,690,072 | -15.39% | 130,993,472 |
| India | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 56,188 |
| Indonesia | 5,580,944 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 15,696,456 |
| Japan | 1,357,709 | 13,364,469 | -89.84% | 44,652,946 |
| Malaysia | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 26,924 |
| Netherlands | 6,072,013 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 13,395,289 |
| Philippines | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 15,101,782 |
| South Africa | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 10,367,546 |
| South Korea | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 2,892,642 |
| Taiwan | 0 | 609,400 | 0.00% | 1,734,771 |
| Thailand | 2,589,746 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 4,087,122 |
| Other | 212,974 | 4,716,203 | -95.48% | 22,981,806 |