Australia's largest commodity export.
Australia's black coal exports were worth around $A55 billion in 2008-09, more than double the previous year's value.
Black coal remains Australia's largest commodity export, representing around 23 per cent of Australia's total exports of goods and services in 2008-09 - see chart below.
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World leader in the global coal trade.
Total world trade in hard coal in 2008-09 was 941 million tonnes, comprising 730 Mt of thermal (steaming) coal and 211 Mt of metallurgical (coking) coal.
Australia maintained its position as the world's largest coal exporter with exports of 261 Mt in 2008-09, or 28% of the world total - see charts below.
In terms of thermal and metallurgical coal markets, Australia's share in 2008-09 represented 19% and 59% respectively of total world trade.
Source: Key World Energy Statistics 2009, IEA
Markets around the globe.
As the world's largest coal exporter, Australia supplies markets in more than 30 countries around the world. Major markets in 2008-09 were Japan (40%), South Korea (16%), Taiwan (10%), China (10%), India (9%) and Europe (8%).
Source: Coal Services Pty Ltd and Queensland Department of Mines and Energy
Source: Coal Services Pty Ltd and Queensland Department of Mines and Energy