Natural graphite market in Americas

Earlier Report Observations

The natural graphite market volume in the Americas fluctuated significantly between 2018 and 2022, rising from 93 тыс. т in 2018 to 115 тыс. т in 2019. This period saw North America solidify its position, contributing approximately 12% to global natural graphite production. After a decline to 79 тыс. т in 2020, the market recovered to 92 тыс. т in 2021, driven primarily by surging demand from electric vehicles and energy storage systems, which stimulated regional mining activity and investment. However, the market volume fell again to 66 тыс. т in 2022.

Market developments in 2023 and 2024 were marked by new projects and regulatory shifts. In 2023, supply was impacted by temporary production cuts at the Syrah’s Balama operation, while two spherical graphite plants were under construction in the United States and a Canadian company advanced a graphite mine project in Brazil. The following year saw significant new entries, including the launch of Titan Mining's processing facility and multi-year supply agreements such as the one between Lucid and Graphite One. Legislative changes, including U.S. investigations into Chinese anode imports leading to tariffs, created uncertainty, while government incentives for clean energy technologies continued to support underlying demand from sectors like electric vehicles and aerospace.

Production natural graphite in Americas

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of natural graphite, 2017-2020

World map of production of natural graphite, 2017-2020

Natural graphite production in the Americas declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 85.3 K t of natural graphite, marking a 3.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 25.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Americas in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of natural graphite production in the Americas also declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 243.3 M $ US, representing a 2.6% drop compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 14.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Americas in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports natural graphite from Americas

Exports in kind, K t

Exported volumes of natural graphite from the Americas declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were recorded at 18.0 K t, showing a significant decline of 14.8% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 57.7%, equating to an annualized rate of -24.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Americas in kind, 2017-2020, K t

The structure of exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diversified set of trading partners. Germany accounted for 18.3% of exports in kind, Poland for 7.5%, and Belgium for 6.0%, together making up only 31.9% of total flows. The remaining 68.1% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Americas in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Natural graphite exports from the Americas declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 36 493 K $ US, down by 20.3% from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 31.4%, with an annualized rate of -11.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 56 073 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 5.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Americas in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of natural graphite from the Americas were not concentrated on a few key markets. Germany represented 21.0% of exports in value terms, Belgium 5.5%, and Poland 5.2%, collectively accounting for only 31.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Americas in value, 2017-2020

Imports natural graphite to Americas

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, natural graphite imports to the Americas amounted to 11.7 K t, reflecting a sharp fall of 75.5% compared to the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 47.8 K t, with the largest increase of 169.3% occurring in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Americas in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China and India were the leading sources for natural graphite imports in kind to the Americas. China accounted for 17.9% of total flows, while India contributed 1.1%.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Americas in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Imports bottomed in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, natural graphite imports to the Americas totaled 27 900 K $ US, reflecting a steep rise of 127.7% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 12 258 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 24.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Americas in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of natural graphite to the Americas were spread across a large number of markets. China accounted for 22.6% of imports in value terms, Germany for 2.3%, and France for 1.4%, together making up only 26.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Americas in value, 2017-2020