France net energy imports: coal
France net energy imports: coal stood at 110.71 EUR million in Aug 2026, according to Eurostat – imports and exports of oil and petroleum products by partner country, monthly (nrg_ti_oilm, nrg_te_oilm). It is one of the indicators in the Energy trade table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 1981 to Aug 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Energy trade table
| Indicator | 08-2026 | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy bill (net imports) | |||||||||||
| Coal | 110.71 | 114.38 | 101.05 | 80.32 | 87.39 | 98.26 | 55.67 | 66.99 | 104.12 | 44.8 | |
| Biofuels | 232.35 | 215.3 | 182.75 | 172.1 | 260.4 | 162.18 | 210.09 | 134.45 | 190.18 | 238.57 |
Understanding france net energy imports: coal
Customs clearance registers and solid mineral trade accounts compile the net financial expenditure on coal and related solid fossil fuels, subtracting outbound shipments from total import values. This metric covers anthracite, bituminous coal, coking coal, and lignite utilized in heavy industry and electricity generation. It excludes liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons, focusing strictly on solid carboniferous materials transported via rail, barge, or maritime carrier. The net balance highlights the declining yet persistent role of solid fuels within the domestic industrial cost structure.
Industrial demand cycles and long-term environmental transition policies exert structural pressure on this series, often overshadowing short-term weather effects. Seasonality is less pronounced than in gas or electricity, though winter heating demand and shipping canal water levels can cause minor operational fluctuations. Analysts should examine multi-year trends rather than sequential monthly figures to assess the phase-out of solid fuel combustion. Revisions to early customs estimates are relatively minor compared to volatile energy commodities, given stable long-term supply contracting.
Frequently asked questions
- Which industries account for the largest share of solid fuel expenditures in this series?
- Heavy industrial manufacturing, particularly steel production and legacy thermal power generation, drive these purchases.
- Why is short-term seasonality less evident in solid fuel trade compared to gas?
- Coal can be easily stockpiled in large open yards near consumption sites, buffering against short-term weather-driven demand spikes.
- Are carbon offset costs included in the monetary valuation of these imports?
- No, the figures reflect physical commodity purchase prices and transport costs recorded at customs clearance, excluding regulatory emission levies.