The Philippines' coal imports rebounded in August 2026 from a decline recorded in the previous month, but remained below the year-earlier levels, preliminary customs data showed.

Imports totaled 3.27 million tonnes in August, down 10.71% year on year but up 5.3% from a month earlier, according to the preliminary data. In the same month last year, imports stood at 3.66 million tonnes, while the previous month saw 3.11 million tonnes.

During January-August, the Philippines imported 25.61 million tonnes of coal, up 0.62% from 25.45 million tonnes in the same period a year earlier.

Indonesia remained the largest supplier in August, with imports reaching 3.2 million tonnes, up 4.55% month on month but down 11.84% year on year, accounting for 97.77% of total imports, compared with 98.41% a month earlier. January-August imports from Indonesia totaled 25.27 million tonnes, down 0.1% year on year.

By coal type, other coal (non-coking, non-anthracite) accounted for the largest share in August at 3.2 million tonnes, up 5.47% from the previous month but down 10.25% year on year. Cumulative imports of other coal in January-August reached 24.89 million tonnes, up 0.19% year on year.

The Philippines' coal production has held stable so far this year, and with the country relying mainly on Indonesia for its imports, that steady demand has translated into modest but consistent volumes into that origin.

The government has been striving to prioritize domestic coal supply, including the recent efforts to revise national coal mine bidding terms, including those in the country's major mining hub Semirara mine, to ensure most of coal production will meet domestic needs.