Natural graphite market Turkey

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, Turkey's natural graphite production surged from 1 624 t to 28 336 t, a more than seventeen-fold increase. This rapid expansion was initiated by the state's strategic raw materials policy, which designated graphite as a critical mineral in 2018, stimulating investment in mining. Government-supported exploration in 2019 identified high-graphite crystalline formations in several regions, broadening the domestic resource base. By 2021, the producer KGD Graphite Metal increased its output of semi-finished products by 20% through scrap recycling, while exchange rate fluctuations made imports more costly, further incentivizing local production.

The total market volume grew consistently, reaching 41 206 t in 2022, driven by sustained demand from the electrode and steel industries. Expectations of a 30–40% rise in graphite demand due to the expanding electric vehicle and lithium-ion battery markets prompted a review of strategic raw material policies. Domestic production stabilized at 27 715 t in 2022, supported by the establishment of pilot processing facilities in the Kürt-Altıntaş and Muğla-Milas regions to scale up semi-graphite supply.

In the 2023-2024 period, market dynamics shifted in response to global supply chain pressures. KGD Graphite Metal announced new investment and capacity expansion plans, targeting 2 700 t of annual production by end-2024, anticipating a supply shortfall from rising battery manufacturing. Chinese export restrictions on graphite quality and certification increased supply risks for Turkish partners, while the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources introduced new EU-aligned regulations for graphite labeling and packaging standards in 2024.

Production natural graphite Turkey

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey ranked 13th globally in natural graphite production.

Top producers of natural graphite, 2017-2020

World map of production of natural graphite, 2017-2020

Turkey's natural graphite production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 15 205 tonnes, marking a sharp 52.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production surged by 1 077.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 127.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Turkey's natural graphite production value also rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 10 713 thousand US dollars, showing a strong 23.3% increase over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value jumped by 1 014.4%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 123.4%.

Annual dynamics of production Turkey in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports natural graphite to Turkey

Exports in kind, t

Turkey's natural graphite exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 1 312 tonnes, reflecting a notable 18.5% contraction compared to 2019. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 1 614 tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 25.3% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, North Macedonia (51.9% of exports in kind), the United Kingdom (15.2%), and Czechia (13.3%) were the top buyers of natural graphite from Turkey. Together, they accounted for 80.5% of total exports in kind.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Turkey's natural graphite export value declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 924 thousand US dollars, a steep 33.9% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 3.7%, with an annualized decline of 1.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 399 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual increase of 33.4% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey's natural graphite exports in value terms were heavily concentrated on North Macedonia, which accounted for 73.0% of total flows. Other countries made up the remaining share.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in value, 2017-2020

Imports natural graphite in Turkey

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of decline, Turkey's natural graphite imports increased. In 2020, imports reached approximately 11 506 tonnes, an 8.7% advance compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 15.6%, with an annualized decrease of 5.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 10 584 tonnes, and the largest annual decline of 17.7% occurred in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—China, Canada, and Brazil—collectively accounted for 74.4% of Turkey's natural graphite imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Turkey imported a total of 9 970 thousand US dollars worth of natural graphite in 2020, representing a moderate 5.4% gain over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 13%, with an annualized decline of 4.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 9 455 thousand US dollars, while the peak was in 2018 at 12 038 thousand US dollars. The largest annual decline of 21.5% occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for Turkey's natural graphite imports in value terms were China (58.0%), Germany (7.2%), and Brazil (7.1%). Together, these three countries accounted for 72.3% of total import flows.

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

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