Jakarta. Indonesia’s coal exports had plummeted 19.70% in 2025, with India and China remaining as the top buyers.

Indonesia registered $24.48 billion in coal exports throughout last year, marking a huge drop compared to the $30.49 billion recorded in 2024, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). Export volume sunk 3.66% from 405.76 million tons in 2024 to 390.93 million tons the following year. 

“Our leading commodities — iron and stainless steel, coal, and palm oil — indeed made up 28.49% of Indonesia’s non-oil and gas exports in 2025. However, our coal exports have weakened 19.70% [versus 2024],” BPS deputy Ateng Hartono told a press briefing in Jakarta on Monday.

BPS put India as the largest export destination despite buying less. In January-December 2025, India imported $4.98 billion worth of Indonesian coal, weighing at around 100.23 million tons in volume. China-bound coal came in second at $4.57 billion and almost 81.73 million tons. Export value to these mainstay markets had sunk amid weakening global prices. The value of the coal shipments to India fell 20.26% compared to 2024. The same goes for China, which went down 30.24%.

Coal prices in international markets amounted to $107.67 per metric ton in December 2025, down 17.06% year-on-year. The numbers once stood at $379.23 per metric ton in end-2022. The government is now putting a cap on production to lift global prices, but this plan has engendered profound disappointment among producers. The Indonesian Coal Mining Association (ICMA) fears the reduction that ranges between 40 and 70% have a baleful impact on operations.

“The significant reduction will hamper companies from covering the fixed operational costs, environmental and financial liabilities, as well as security, among others. This can even lead to massive layoffs,” ICMA Executive Director Gita Mahyarani said.

The government has earlier unveiled plans to slash the annual coal production from an estimated 780 million tons to 600 million tons this year.