EU member states have stepped up their coal purchases in anticipation of the Russia-related embargo slated to start on 10 August. Over the March to May window, the bloc’s coal imports rose by about 28 percent relative to the same period a year earlier, signaling a strategic pivot as energy supplies adjust to new sanctions and shifting market dynamics.
According to UN Comtrade statistics, shipments reached roughly 29.4 million tonnes, with a concomitant rise in expenditure that climbed to about $9.3 billion for the March-to-May period. The average price stood around $317 per tonne, a stark rise from roughly $105 per tonne during the same months in 2021, underscoring the volatility and tightness in global coal markets as supply sources diversify and importers seek alternatives to sanctioned flows.
Within the EU, the leadership in coal intake came from major economies including Germany, Poland, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands. A substantial portion, about 31 percent, originated from Russia, highlighting the scale of imports reliant on a single supplier even as diversification strategies were being enacted to align with evolving sanctions frameworks and long-term energy resilience goals.
On 10 August, the formal embargo on coal imports from Russia was enacted as part of broader sanctions. This measure represents a concrete step in a longer policy effort to sever economic linkages with the Russian energy sector and to accelerate the transition toward alternative fuels and supply chains, while addressing immediate energy security concerns across member states.
As part of the fifth sanctions package against Russia, the ban on coal and other solid fossil fuels flows to and from the Russian Federation was implemented, with official documentation outlining the prohibition taking effect from August 2022. The move is designed to compress Russia’s access to European energy markets and to push EU economies toward more diversified and secure energy portfolios, including enhanced domestic production, imports from non-Russian sources, and increased energy efficiency measures across sectors.
Earlier comments from industry observers and policymakers noted that several member states could encounter heating challenges during the upcoming winter if supply adjustments lag or if logistical constraints lengthen the path of shipments by sea. The emphasis remains on maintaining reliable residential energy and industrial vitality, even as policymakers balance the imperative of sanctions with the need for affordable and stable energy for households and businesses alike, and on exploring contingency plans for potential resource gaps and price pressures that could arise from a rapid import reconfiguration.
Industry analyses at the time also highlighted that the European Union was trimming Russian thermal coal imports in anticipation of a full embargo, reflecting a strategic shift toward diversified import sources and accelerated investment in alternative energy options. The market narrative pointed to a period of reorganization where regional suppliers, logistics networks, and pricing mechanisms would all play pivotal roles in shaping energy affordability and security across the union during the transition away from Russian coal.