International demand for Hunter coal remains strong, with coal exports increasing by 6 per cent past financial year.
Coal Services data shows an extra nine million tonnes of coal was exported from NSW, taking the total to almost 162 million tonnes.
Japan drove the demand with increased exports of six million tonnes to a total of 71 million tonnes.
It was followed by Taiwan with increased coal exports of more than four million tonnes to a total of 19.6 million tonnes and South Korea with coal exports from NSW increasing by three million tonnes to a total eight million tonnes.
At the same time, exports to China fell by about four million tonnes.
Last year's net figures represent an increase of 80 per cent in NSW coal exports over the past two decades.
Coal exports are worth more than $26 billion in export revenue to NSW each year and remain the state's most valuable export commodity.
Energy-producing thermal coal was responsible for most of the increase in demand, up 6.5 per cent in the past financial year as Australia's regional trade partners lock in their energy security.
Port Waratah Coal Services chief executive Hennie du Plooy said the company was seeing continuing strong demand for high-quality coal, particularly in Asia.
"It was another strong performance from Port Waratah last financial year, with more than 100 million tonnes loaded and shipped, up from 97 million tonnes in the previous financial year," he said.
NSW Minerals Council chief executive Stephen Galilee said the results highlighted the need for "a sensible and balanced approach" to policies affecting the coal sector.
"Right now, there are a number of coal mining projects in the NSW planning system waiting on approvals, including the critical Hunter Valley Operations Continuation Project.
"There are 1500 direct mine workers, thousands more in 750 local supply businesses and the entire local community hoping and praying that this project will be approved.
"It's clear there is strong ongoing demand for NSW coal. Our state is in a good position to make the most of the opportunities afforded by this demand if we can approve these critical mining projects already in the planning system," Mr Galilee said.
While coal remains king in export value, the Port of Newcastle is also diversifying into other commodities.
The port's diversified trade performance reached a new high in 2025, with more than 11.12 million tonnes of non-coal cargo passing through the port.
The figure surpassed the previous record of 10.13 million tonnes set in 2021. It was driven by a surge in export commodities including wheat.
There has also been strong growth in volumes of project cargo supporting major renewable energy projects in NSW and beyond.
While coal remains strong, Minerals Council of Australia research shows 28 per cent of respondents to a recent survey strongly supported uranium mining in NSW if it helped tackle climate change and lowered greenhouse gas emissions.
Another 39 per cent somewhat supported the move.
More than half of 1000 respondents (52 per cent) said they would back uranium mining in NSW if it was conducted the same way it is in other jurisdictions such as the Northern Territory and South Australia where it is allowed.
