Market research

Natural graphite market in South America

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"South America" region includes following countries:

Argentina

Bolivia

Bouvet Island

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Ecuador

Falkland Islands (Malvinas)

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

French Guiana

Guyana

Paraguay

Peru

Suriname

Uruguay

Venezuela

Earlier Report Observations

The natural graphite market in Brazil expanded from 59 841 t in 2018 to 67 641 t in 2019, driven by the MGgrafeno project which accelerated graphene development from natural graphite, identifying new market opportunities and increasing demand for high-quality material. Simultaneously, operational adjustments and expansion projects at the state-owned Nacional de Grafite, the leading domestic producer, boosted production capacity.

Market volume contracted to 54 401 t in 2020 before recovering to 63 517 t in 2021, supported by sustained output from Nacional de Grafite. Growth continued in 2022, with volume reaching 65 880 t, primarily due to the recovery of the metallurgical sector and rising natural graphite prices, which elevated both volume and market value.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2022
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2022
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2022
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2022
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in South America
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in South America in kind, 2018-2022, t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2022
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2022, t
  2. 5.2.2. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2022
  3. 5.2.3. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2022
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production natural graphite in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of natural graphite, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of natural graphite, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

South America produced 67,020 tonnes of natural graphite in 2020, marking an 18.0% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 25.5%, which translates to an annualized decline of 9.4%. The only increase during this period occurred in 2019, with a modest rise of 3.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in South America in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(12.2%)	3.5%	(18.0%)	(9.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of natural graphite production in South America was $105.5 million US, down 16.4% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 9.3%, averaging a 3.2% annualized decline. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at $126.2 million US, which also saw the largest increase of 10.4% during this period.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(1.7%)	10.4%	(16.4%)	(3.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports natural graphite from South America

Exports in kind, t

Natural graphite exports from South America declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 16,192 tonnes, a 12.2% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 29.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -11.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(0.8%)	(19.0%)	(12.2%)	(11.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the United States, and Poland were the key export partners for natural graphite from South America 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 flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Natural graphite export values from South America declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to $25,487 thousand US, representing a 10.5% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export values fell by 14%, with an annualized decline of 4.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at $32,952 thousand US, which also saw the largest increase of 11.1%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 13.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	11.1%	(13.6%)	(10.5%)	(4.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for natural graphite exports from South America in value terms were Germany, the United States, and Belgium. Germany accounted for 32.1% of export value, the United States for 19.7%, and Belgium for 8.8%, collectively representing 60.6% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports natural graphite to South America

Imports in kind, t

South America imported 3,573 tonnes of natural graphite in 2020, a 17.3% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 15.3%, with an annualized decline of 5.4%. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 4,319 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 19.1% during this period.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(14.0%)	19.1%	(17.3%)	(5.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China, the United States, and Germany were consistently the main sources of natural graphite imports to South America in volume terms. China accounted for 40.7% of imports, the United States for 8.4%, and Germany for 2.5%, together comprising 51.5% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Natural graphite import values to South America declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to $5,022 thousand US, a 25.0% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values decreased by 36.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -14.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(12.7%)	(3.0%)	(25.0%)	(14.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—China, the United States, and Germany—collectively accounted for 58.3% of the total value of natural graphite imports to South America.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io