Russia losing coal market share in Turkiye as seaborne deliveries stop

Russian coking coal exports to Turkiye plummeted by 30% in the first half of 2026, according to business outlet Kommersant, with July shipments ceasing altogether due to ongoing difficulties in Black Sea shipping. Russian exporters cut supplies to the Turkish market by around one-third from the beginning of the year. Analysts cited limited market size in Turkey, declining shipping conditions in the Black Sea, and a preference to divert cargo to the Far East, where prices are higher, as contributing factors to the decline.

Russia is Turkiye's third-largest supplier of coking coal, after the United States and Australia, accounting for about 7% of total Turkish imports. However, in July 2026, Turkey did not purchase any Russian coking coal. In comparison, Russia exported 54,500 tons to Turkey in June and 30,900 tons in July 2025. In July 2026, Turkey imported 82,500 tons of coal from Britain and 48,800 tons from Kazakhstan, marking the first time it sourced coking coal from these countries in 2026.

U.S. exports to Turkey surged by 70% in the first seven months of 2026 to 1.88 million tons, tripling in July alone to 469,000 tons. Australian supplies fell by 38% in the January-July period to 770,000 tons, with Russia supplying 224,500 tons. Russian analytical company NEFT Research attributed the significant drop in Russian metallurgical coal exports to the Black Sea to the halting of shipping between Russian ports and Turkey, citing the high cost of rerouting coal through Baltic ports as unprofitable.

Ukrainian forces have been engaged in Operation MoLoCHKa for 10 weeks, targeting Russian logistics in the Black and Azov seas, resulting in the sinking of 275 vessels.