Chinese coal imports surged in September to the highest level in nine months and the highest for 2025 amid falling output and rising prices in China. The world’s top coal consumer imported 46 million tons of coal in September, the highest so far this year, according to official data.

Imports were below last year’s level for the same month, with Chinese coal production declining due to government measures to curb oversupply and support prices. Earlier this year, China asked coal-fired power plants to boost stockpiles with domestic supply to increase local demand and prices.

Domestic coal prices have increased in the second half of the year, leading to higher imports. After a decline in imports earlier this year, China’s coal imports strengthened in August and remained high in September. A drop in domestic production and high demand for power generation during heat waves contributed to the spike in imports.

The rapid rebound in domestic coal prices widened the price gap between domestic and imported coal, making imported coal more competitive. China, which was previously cutting imports and increasing exports due to oversupply, is now seeing a rebound in imports. The market is watching to see if this rebound will be sustained or just a blip.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: China’s Coal Imports Jumped to 9-Month High in September