For businessmen looking for a reliable source of graphite, it pays to know where the leading producers are. Graphite, an essential element for the production of many products, has recently seen prices surge due to increased demand from emerging economies. In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 10 countries producing graphite in 2023.
China remains at the top of the global graphite production chart, producing more than two million tons of graphite went in the 2010s. This is largely attributed to the country’s cheap labor and the abundance of natural resources in the region. According to industry reports, production is expected to increase in 2023 with rising demand from the rust belt region, a rapidly developing area in the east of the country.
India is also a major producer of graphite, ranking second on the list. The country produces an estimated 400 thousand tons per year and is seen as an important supplier to the global market. India is poised to increase production, with plans to expand mining operations in the Himalayan region. The overwhelming demand for graphite from industries such as electric vehicles, batteries and telecommunications will continue to make India a leading producer for the foreseeable future.
Brazil takes the third spot on the list with an estimated 350 thousand tons of output yearly. The South American country is rich in graphite reserves with large deposits located in the Amazon Basin. With its extensive infrastructure, Brazil is a key player in the global graphite market and is successfully harvesting domestic and export benefits from it.
Mexico has been slowly gaining ground in the global graphite supply market in recent years. Mexico produces an estimated 310 thousand tons of graphite yearly, primarily from mines located in the northern parts of the country. Mexico is also at an advantage when it comes to technology, boasting world-class research and development centers in the graphite sector.
Finishing off the top 5 graphite production countries is South Africa, with an estimated 250 thousand tons per year. With vast graphite deposits in the North West and Mpumalanga provinces, South Africa is a key player in the global graphite market. As the country continues to focus on investments in the sector, output is likely to improve in the coming years.
Other major graphite producers include Canada, the United States, Russia, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe. Together, these countries account for a significant portion of global graphite production in 2023, and their individual production figures are likely to continue to grow. With the rising demand from the electric vehicle industry, graphite’s future looks bright. As for who’ll be leading the production charts in 2023, it looks like China will most likely stay ahead of the pack.