South Africa Ramps Up Coal Exports to Israel Following Colombia’s Supply Ban
South African mining companies have significantly increased exports of thermal coal to Israel, stepping in to fill a supply gap created after Colombia, previously Israel’s leading supplier, imposed a comprehensive ban on coal shipments in August, according to data from Kpler, LSEG and DBX Commodities.
Colombia’s decision to halt exports followed a presidential decree accusing Israel of killing tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza, including children. The South American nation’s move came despite long-term supply contracts, which were later blocked entirely. Colombia and South Africa have both emerged as vocal critics of Israel over the Gaza conflict, with Pretoria taking its case to the International Court of Justice, where it accused Israel of committing genocide, allegations firmly rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Despite South Africa’s strong diplomatic stance, coal exports from the country to Israel surged sharply in the months following Colombia’s withdrawal. Data from Kpler shows that Colombian coal exports to Israel fell to zero in the three months ending November, while South African shipments jumped 87% year-on-year to 474,000 metric tonnes over the same period. South Africa is also on track to export nearly 170,000 tonnes to Israel in December alone.
Official figures from the South African Revenue Service further underscore the surge, showing that coal exports to Israel rose 20% to 667,442 tonnes in the three months to October, the highest three-month volume recorded since February 2017.
The contrasting positions have drawn criticism from civil society and academic observers. Patrick Bond, Director of the Centre for Social Change at the University of Johannesburg, described the situation as a stark contradiction between rhetoric and action. “Four words explain this profound hypocrisy: talk left, walk right,” Bond said, noting that more than a dozen South Africa-based coal exporters have supplied electricity-grade coal to Israel since 2023. Kpler data indicates that all coal shipments imported by Israel since September originated from South Africa.
South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy did not respond to requests for comment. However, Trade Minister Parks Tau previously warned that imposing sanctions against Israel could expose South Africa to legal challenges under World Trade Organization rules. Colombia, which is also a WTO member, has so far faced no formal challenge following its export ban.
South African Exports Set to Dominate Israel’s Coal Market
South Africa’s coal shipments to Israel have been steadily rising over the past four years and are expected to reach their highest level since 2017 in 2025. Kpler data projects that South Africa’s share of Israel’s seaborne coal market will more than triple compared to 2024 levels, reaching approximately 55%.
Despite the ban, Colombia is still expected to account for 42% of Israel’s total coal imports of roughly 2 million tonnes this year, reflecting deliveries made prior to the restrictions. Russia, which supplied nearly a quarter of Israel’s coal in 2024, has seen its role diminish sharply, contributing just one cargo of 55,000 tonnes, less than 3% of the market.
Alexandre Claude, Chief Executive Officer of London-based DBX Commodities, expects Colombian exports to Israel to remain near zero in the short to medium term. “Colombia will redirect slightly more of its coal to other buyers. The country already has a highly diversified portfolio,” he said.
Israel’s Economy and Energy Ministries declined to comment on the developments. However, a senior official at the state-run Israel Electric Corporation indicated that coal will soon be phased out of the country’s energy mix.
“The era of coal is finished in Israel,” the official said. “We will stop importing coal and use natural gas as the main source of energy, with coal retained only as a backup in case of emergency.”
