Natural graphite market in MERCOSUR

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the natural graphite market volume in MERCOSUR showed notable swings, rising from 58 223 t to 66 423 t in 2019, then falling to 53 322 t in 2020 before recovering to 61 563 t in 2021.

Market volume expanded further to 64 941 t in 2022, primarily driven by growing demand from the electric vehicle battery industry and the metallurgical sector. Major global companies, including Imerys, SGL Carbon, AMG, and Nacional de Grafite, also influenced the regional market through investments and capacity expansions.

Into 2023 and 2024, the market continued to be shaped by the electric vehicle demand trend and corporate activity, such as SGL Carbon's capacity expansion for semiconductor graphite products and Mersen Group's launch of new graphite felt products for batteries and electrolyzers.

Production natural graphite in MERCOSUR

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of natural graphite, 2017-2020

World map of production of natural graphite, 2017-2020

In 2020, MERCOSUR produced 67 020 tonnes of natural graphite, marking a significant 18.0% decline compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 25.5%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 9.4%. The only year that saw growth was 2019, with a modest increase of 3.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of natural graphite production in MERCOSUR was 105.3 million US dollars, down 15.6% from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 8.2%, averaging a 2.8% annual decline. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 124.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 11.3%.

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

Exports natural graphite from MERCOSUR

Exports in kind, t

Natural graphite exports from MERCOSUR declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, shipments totaled 16 189 tonnes, a 13.2% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 30.3%, equating to an average annual decrease of 11.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the United States, and Poland were the main destinations for MERCOSUR's natural graphite exports in volume terms. Germany accounted for 27.4% of exports, the United States for 15.1%, and Poland for 12.0%, together making up 54.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

MERCOSUR's natural graphite exports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 25 430 thousand US dollars, a 10.6% decrease year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports dropped by 14.1%, with an average annual decline of 4.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 32 911 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 11.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 13.5% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, the United States, and Belgium were the principal buyers of natural graphite from MERCOSUR in value terms. Germany represented 32.1% of exports, the United States 19.7%, and Belgium 8.8%, collectively accounting for 60.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports natural graphite to MERCOSUR

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, MERCOSUR imported 2 491 tonnes of natural graphite, a 24.4% reduction compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 18.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.6%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 2 417 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 3 296 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 36.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Germany, and the United States were the core sources of natural graphite imports to MERCOSUR in volume terms. China accounted for 53.5% of imports, Germany for 3.4%, and the United States for 2.9%, together representing 59.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, MERCOSUR's natural graphite imports in value terms declined. In 2020, imports stood at 3 328 thousand US dollars, a sharp fall of 34.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 15.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 5 100 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 16.3%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, China, Germany, and the United States formed the key group of partners for natural graphite imports to MERCOSUR in value terms. China accounted for 46.3% of imports, Germany for 8.6%, and the United States for 6.3%, jointly representing 61.2% of total import flows.

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

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