Coal imports decline to 209 MT in FY22; production up by 61 MT
ADVERTISEMENT
India’s coal import declined to 209 million tonnes in 2021-22 against 215 MT in 2020-21 and 248 MT in 2019-20, while at the same time overall coal production increased by 61 MT during 2021-22, the coal ministry says.
“Coal imports had reached a peak of 248 MT in 2019-20, which declined during the next two years to 215 MT in 2020-21 and further to 209 MT in 2021-22,” says the ministry.
On the demand front, there was a rise in actual coal demand from 956 MT in 2019-20, 906 MT in 2020-21, to 1,027 MT in 2021-22, but coal imports have not increased.
Explaining that the government was able to keep the import in check because of a sustained increase in domestic supply over the years, the ministry says the decline in coal imports during 2021-22 is largely due to a decrease in imports by the power sector.
August 2025
As India continues to be the world’s fastest-growing major economy, Fortune India presents its special issue on the nation’s Top 100 Billionaires. Curated in partnership with Waterfield Advisors, this year’s list reflects a slight decline in the number of dollar billionaires—from 185 to 182—even as the entry threshold for the Top 100 rose to ₹24,283 crore, up from ₹22,739 crore last year. From stalwarts like Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, and the Mistry family, who continue to lead the list, to major gainers such as Sunil Mittal and Kumar Mangalam Birla, the issue goes beyond the numbers to explore the resilience, ambition, and strategic foresight that define India’s wealth creators. Read their compelling stories in the latest issue of Fortune India. On stands now.
The power sector imported 45 MT of coal in 2020-21, which reduced to 27 MT in 2021-22, a decline of almost 40%.
“Coal import grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.86% during 2009-10 to 2013-14. At this CAGR, coal imports would have reached 705 MT in 2020-21 and further to 866 MT in 2021-22.”
On the production side, India’s coal production increased from 716 MT in 2020-21 to 777 MT in 2021-22, an increase of 61 MT, says the ministry.
“Coal imports could be contained due to increased domestic dispatch from 691 MT in 2020-21 to 818 MT in 2021-22,” says the ministry. Domestic dispatch not only increased to the power sector but non-power sectors as well; from 101 MT in 2020-21 to 104 MT in 2021-22.
Coking Coal import was 57 MT, with a growth of 11.65% during 2021-22, which is largely used in the steel sector. However, as compared to the pre-covid year of 2019-20, the growth in coking coal imports is around 10%.
Coal imported by the non-regulated sector (cement, sponge iron & paper, etc.,) increased to 125 MT in 2021-22 from 119 MT in 2020-21, an increase of 5.23%. The increase is largely on account of growth in the import of coking coal and import of coal by the non-regulated sector, which largely imports high-grade thermal coal. “Supply of both these categories of coal is limited in the country,” says the ministry.
A critical input for the power, fertiliser, iron & steel and cement sectors, the coal industry is a major contributor to fulfilling the nation’s energy needs.
Fortune India is now on WhatsApp! Get the latest updates from the world of business and economy delivered straight to your phone. Subscribe now.