Natural graphite market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

The natural graphite market in the CIS experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted production and demand, leading to a contraction in market volume to 15 358 t. A post-pandemic recovery in consumer demand during 2021 supported a rebound, pushing the market size to 17 803 t.

Sanctions and restrictions imposed against Russia in 2022 became a dominant market force. They increased mining and logistics costs, making domestic graphite less competitive. Consumers turned more frequently to foreign alternatives, which drove a sharp rise in imports to 7 229 t. This surge, coupled with a collapse in exports to 1 306 t due to sanctions, propelled the total market volume to a peak of 22 124 t in 2022, despite a slight dip in domestic production.

The market continued to adjust to external pressures in 2023 and 2024. China's tightening of export rules for graphite in December 2023, requiring special licenses, contributed to a shortage of expandable graphite in the region. Imports subsequently fell to 3 480 t in 2024. In response, there were concerted plans to launch new production facilities, such as at the Omsk Refinery, and to develop a domestic supply chain for lithium-ion batteries.

Production natural graphite in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of natural graphite, 2017-2020

World map of production of natural graphite, 2017-2020

Natural graphite production in the CIS declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 14 600 tonnes, marking a significant 12.0% drop from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 42.1%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 16.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in CIS in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports natural graphite from CIS

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, CIS natural graphite exports reached 3 107 tonnes, up 56.1% compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports overall decreased by 20.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 990 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 4 793 tonnes. The sharpest decline was seen in 2019, when exports fell by 58.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, CIS natural graphite exports were distributed across a wide range of markets. Germany accounted for 12.2% of exports in volume, Austria for 10.6%, and Slovakia for 4.7%. Together, these three countries made up just 27.5% of total export flows, indicating a highly diversified market structure.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout this period. Exports in value terms hit their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.4-fold fluctuation between these years. In 2020, natural graphite shipments from the CIS totaled 3 123 thousand US dollars, reflecting a substantial increase of 139.4% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 305 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred that same year, with a drop of 50.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Austria, and Slovakia were the largest buyers of CIS natural graphite in value terms, with shares of 18.5%, 15.7%, and 9.9% respectively. However, their combined contribution was limited to 44.1% of total export value, highlighting a diversified country structure in the market.

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

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

Imports natural graphite to CIS

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, natural graphite imports into the CIS declined. In 2020, the region imported 3 865 tonnes, representing a 20.6% decrease from 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 869 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred that year, with a rise of 12.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Ukraine, and Germany were the leading sources of natural graphite imports into the CIS in volume terms. China accounted for 46.5% of imports, Ukraine for 12.7%, and Germany for 6.7%. Together, these three countries made up 65.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year uptick, CIS natural graphite import value declined. In 2020, the region imported natural graphite worth 5 724 thousand US dollars, marking an 11.3% loss compared to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 5.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 6 379 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred that year, with a rise of 3.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the three largest markets for CIS natural graphite imports in value terms were China, Germany, and Ukraine. Together, they accounted for 76.5% of total import flows, dominating the import structure.

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

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