Lamp carbons, battery carbons and other articles of graphite or other carbon with or without metal for electrical purposes market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The market for lamp carbons, battery carbons, and other graphite articles in Hungary remained at a modest scale in the early 2020s, with a volume of 126 t in 2021 and 132 t in 2022. A profound shift occurred by 2024, when the market volume skyrocketed to 2 421 t, a change mirrored by domestic production, which jumped to 2 310 t.

This surge was directly linked to the European Union's active industrial policy, which prioritized building a regional electric vehicle battery value chain. Interventions to facilitate investments and shield the EU market stimulated local manufacturing of battery components, including critical graphite articles. Concurrently, Eastern Europe's broader adoption of synthetic graphite, driven by national electric mobility programs, provided additional momentum for market growth.

As a result, the market's value reflected this strategic expansion, rising from 1 220 тыс. $ in 2021 to 12 318 тыс. $ in 2024, underscoring the material's heightened role in the energy transition.

Production lamp and battery carbons and other graphite articles in Hungary

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Annual dynamics of production in Hungary in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, kg

Annual dynamics of production in Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, kg

Exports lamp and battery carbons and other graphite articles from Hungary

Exports in kind, t

Hungary's exports of lamp carbons, battery carbons, and other graphite or carbon articles for electrical purposes rebounded in 2021 after two consecutive years of decline. Shipments reached 131.6 tons, representing a 34.3% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 7.2% overall, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 98.0 tons, while the most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 20.1% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Hungary's exports of lamp carbons, battery carbons, and other graphite or carbon articles for electrical purposes were distributed relatively evenly across markets. The United States accounted for 29.9% of export volumes, Germany for 9.3%, and Serbia for 9.0%. Together, these three countries represented 48.2% of total export flows during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Hungary in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Hungary's exports of lamp carbons, battery carbons, and other graphite or carbon articles for electrical purposes reached 6 133 thousand US dollars, marking a 9.7% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 5 592 thousand US dollars, while the highest occurred in 2019 at 6 147 thousand US dollars. The most substantial decline took place in 2020 with a 9.0% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Hungary in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the United States, Germany, and Turkey formed the core group of trading partners for Hungary's exports of lamp carbons, battery carbons, and other graphite or carbon articles for electrical purposes in value terms. The United States accounted for 27.0% of export value, Germany for 14.8%, and Turkey for 11.9%. Collectively, these three markets represented 53.7% of total export flows during this period.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Hungary in value, 2018-2021

Imports lamp and battery carbons and other graphite articles to Hungary

Imports in kind, t

Hungary's imports of lamp carbons, battery carbons, and other graphite or carbon articles for electrical purposes showed considerable volatility between 2018 and 2021. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a two-fold difference between these years. In 2021, imports totaled 196.0 tons, reflecting a substantial 24.0% increase compared to 2020. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 284.5 tons. The most significant decline occurred in 2020 with a 44.4% drop, while the largest increase took place in 2019 with a 102.4% surge.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Ukraine, South Korea, and Germany dominated Hungary's imports of lamp carbons, battery carbons, and other graphite or carbon articles for electrical purposes in volume terms. Ukraine accounted for 41.8% of import volumes, South Korea for 28.1%, and Germany for 14.4%. Together, these three countries represented 84.3% of total import flows during this period.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Hungary in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Hungary's import market for lamp carbons, battery carbons, and other graphite or carbon articles for electrical purposes exhibited notable volatility between 2018 and 2021. Import values reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2021, imports amounted to 3 388 thousand US dollars, representing a 13.8% increase compared to 2020. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 5 218 thousand US dollars. The most substantial decline occurred in 2020 with a 42.9% drop, while the largest increase took place in 2019 with a 125.9% surge.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Hungary in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Ukraine, the Philippines, and Germany consistently held leading positions in Hungary's import structure for lamp carbons, battery carbons, and other graphite or carbon articles for electrical purposes in value terms. Ukraine accounted for 29.0% of import value, the Philippines for 19.1%, and Germany for 15.8%. Together, these three countries represented 63.9% of total import flows during this period.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Hungary in value, 2018-2021