Canadian coal exports rebounded in May 2026 after four consecutive months of decline, though volumes remained lower than a year earlier.

Exports totaled 2.48 million tonnes in May, down 27.23% year on year but up 8.87% from the previous month. Export value reached $595 million, down 7.66% year on year and up 21.41% month on month.

Japan was the top destination in May, receiving 675,800 tonnes, up 1.99% year on year and 36.20% from a month earlier. China's mainland followed closely at 675,700 tonnes, down 19.24% from a year earlier but up 32.71% month on month. Exports to South Korea totaled 513,100 tonnes, down 26.71% year on year and 8.51% from the previous month.

In the first five months of 2026, Canada's coal exports reached 13.10 million tonnes, down 15.87% year on year. Export value totaled $2.98 billion, down 6.28% from the same period last year.