Coal imports into Moldova fall by 19%

The Republic of Moldova imported approximately 77,000 tons of coal between January 1 and October 18, 2026, around 19% less than during the same period last year. Deliveries fell sharply over the past three months, with only approximately 130 tonnes imported in September. Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu attributed the decline to conditions on the international market, transportation difficulties, and reduced coal availability for export.

Data presented by the official show that anthracite accounted for most of this year's imports, at approximately 63,000 tons. Another 9,400 tons consisted of bituminous coal, while the remainder represented other types of coal. The main countries of origin were Romania, Türkiye, and Ukraine, although deliveries also came from Kazakhstan, Switzerland, and the Russian Federation.


“The coal market in the Republic of Moldova is not a regulated market, so it responds to demand. This is very important: importers and companies operating in the market bring in coal according to demand,” Dorin Junghietu said after the Government meeting on October 21.


The decline in deliveries intensified in recent months. While approximately 4,700 tons of coal were imported in July, the amount fell to around 1,500 tonnes in August and reached approximately 126–130 tons in September.

The Energy Minister said that coal is transported both by rail and by barge through ports on the Danube and the Black Sea. In his view, the security situation in the region could be one of the factors affecting deliveries.


“We know very well that, in recent months, traffic on the Black Sea, maritime traffic, has been affected by attacks and the war situation, and therefore this is probably one of the factors,” the official stated.


Another reason cited by the minister is rising demand for coal on European markets. The hydrological drought this summer reportedly prompted some countries to restart certain coal-fired electricity generation capacities, which would have reduced the quantities available for export.

In addition, the Republic of Moldova has lost a significant portion of its traditional anthracite supply from Ukraine because of the war.


“Previously, we imported anthracite from Ukraine, but the anthracite deposits there, particularly in Donbas, are in a war zone and are not under the control of the Ukrainian authorities or economic operators. As a result, anthracite imports from Ukraine have declined significantly,” Dorin Junghietu explained.


With some traders having run out of stocks before the start of the cold season, importers are trying to identify new suppliers in order to increase the quantities available on the domestic market.

According to the minister, some traders are expected to purchase coal from Australia, with transportation through the Port of Constanța. Other possible sources include Vietnam and Canada, although deliveries from these countries would involve higher transportation costs. In the European market, possible sources of supply also include Germany, Türkiye, and Serbia.

Asked whether resorting to alternative suppliers could lead to higher coal prices, Junghietu said that prices depend on market developments.

Coal is widely used to heat homes in the Republic of Moldova. According to the results of the 2024 Population and Housing Census, solid fuels—a category that includes firewood, coal, and agricultural waste—are the main source of heating for approximately 531,300 occupied dwellings, nearly half of the total.

Natural gas from the grid is used to heat approximately 248,100 dwellings, electricity is used for 9,200, liquefied gas from cylinders for 4,300, and briquettes and pellets for approximately 2,700 dwellings.