Pitch and pitch coke market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the pitch and pitch coke market in Russia expanded, with production rising from 391 thousand tonnes to 538 thousand tonnes. This growth was driven by stable demand from the metallurgical and coking industries, alongside improved operational performance at key plants such as Gubakhinsky coke, which reported a 13% increase in coal tar output in early 2019. The market adapted to ongoing environmental requirements without major regulatory shifts. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused some supply chain disruptions but did not significantly hinder production, as new tenders indicated sustained market activity.

From 2021 onward, production gradually declined, though it remained above 500 thousand tonnes through 2023. Investment in modernization and a strategic focus on producing needle coke for import substitution helped maintain industry capacity. The imposition of international sanctions in 2022 stimulated further development of domestic production technologies and reinforced a positive trade balance. Regulatory developments, including the updated GOST 10200-2017 standard for electrode pitch quality, provided a firmer framework for the market amid these changes.

Production continued to decrease to 482 thousand tonnes in 2025, while the market volume fell to 547 thousand tonnes in 2024, reflecting a broader adjustment in the sector after the earlier growth period.

Production pitch and pitch coke in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Russia's production of pitch and pitch coke declined after two years of growth. In 2021, output remained virtually unchanged at 535.1 K t compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production increased by 36.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 537.7 K t, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019 at 30.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports pitch and pitch coke from Russia

Exports in kind, K t

Russia's exports of pitch and pitch coke increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 31.9 K t, showing a modest year-on-year rise of 4.2%. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 7.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 20.8 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 30.0%. The most significant increase occurred in 2020 at 47.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Kazakhstan, Finland, and Tajikistan were the leading destinations for Russia's pitch and pitch coke exports in volume terms. Kazakhstan accounted for 45.6% of exports, Finland for 11.8%, and Tajikistan for 8.4%. Together, these three countries represented 65.8% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Russia's pitch and pitch coke exports in value terms increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports reached 10.9 M $ US, marking a 20.0% rise compared to the previous year. However, over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 32.8%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 12.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 8.5 M $ US, which also saw the largest drop of 47.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Kazakhstan, Finland, and Romania were the top destinations for Russia's pitch and pitch coke exports in value terms. Kazakhstan accounted for 41.3% of exports, Finland for 17.7%, and Romania for 10.6%. Collectively, these three countries made up 69.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021

Imports pitch and pitch coke to Russia

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Russia's imports of pitch and pitch coke increased. In 2021, imports amounted to 129.6 K t, representing a sharp year-on-year rise of 39.2%. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 35.9%, with an average annual decline of 13.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 93.1 K t, which also saw the largest drop of 37.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, Ukraine and China dominated Russia's pitch and pitch coke imports in volume terms, while other markets played a less significant role.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Russia's pitch and pitch coke imports in value terms showed notable fluctuations from 2018 to 2021. Imports peaked in 2018 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a 3.6-fold difference between these years. In 2021, imports totaled 95.7 M $ US, surging by 163.7% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 36.3 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 60.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Ukraine, China, and Japan were the primary sources for Russia's pitch and pitch coke imports in value terms. Ukraine accounted for 44.0% of imports, China for 32.9%, and Japan for 10.4%. Together, these three countries represented 87.3% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021