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This table presents detailed data on the quantities and values of natural graphite imported into the United States from various countries and localities, categorized by different forms such as crystalline flake, lump and chippy dust, high-purity expandable graphite, and amorphous graphite. This information is crucial for understanding the supply dynamics of natural graphite, a mineral integral to numerous industrial applications including battery manufacturing, lubricants, refractories, and steelmaking. Tracking import sources and volumes helps stakeholders assess market trends, supply chain vulnerabilities, and economic dependencies on foreign graphite producers.
Analysis of the data reveals that in 2023, total U.S. imports of natural graphite decreased to 73,500 metric tons valued at $157 million, down from 89,200 metric tons worth $187 million in 2022. China remains the dominant supplier, though its imports dropped significantly from 45,100 metric tons valued at $139 million in 2022 to 29,300 metric tons valued at $110 million in 2023, indicating a notable contraction. Mozambique showed a substantial increase, with imports rising from 8,070 metric tons ($7 million) in 2022 to 19,100 metric tons ($15.9 million) in 2023, becoming the largest single source by quantity. Canada also experienced a decline, with imports falling from 8,400 metric tons ($13.5 million) to 7,240 metric tons ($11 million). Brazil’s imports decreased sharply from 2,330 metric tons ($4.6 million) to 2,600 metric tons ($4.8 million), but its high-purity expandable graphite imports increased, suggesting a shift in product mix. Mexico’s amorphous graphite imports remained significant and even increased slightly in quantity from 12,000 to 6,930 metric tons, though the value decreased. These shifts highlight evolving trade patterns and the U.S. market’s adjustment to changing global supply conditions.
| TABLE 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION OF NATURAL GRAPHITE, BY COUNTRY OR LOCALITY1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Crystalline flake | Lump and | Other natural crude, | |||||||||||||||||||
| and flake dust2 | chippy dust3 | high-purity, expandable4 | Amorphous4 | Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Quantity | Value5 | Quantity | Value5 | Quantity | Value5 | Quantity | Value5 | Quantity | Value5 | ||||||||||||
| Country or locality | (metric tons) | (thousands) | (metric tons) | (thousands) | (metric tons) | (thousands) | (metric tons) | (thousands) | (metric tons) | (thousands) | |||||||||||
| 2022: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Australia | -- | -- | -- | -- | 19 | 70 | -- | -- | 19 | 70 | |||||||||||
| Austria | 96 | 132 | -- | -- | 4 | 96 | -- | -- | 100 | 229 | |||||||||||
| Belgium | 20 | 41 | -- | -- | 7 | 18 | -- | -- | 27 | 59 | |||||||||||
| Brazil | 1930 | 3490 | -- | -- | 402 | 1100 | -- | -- | 2330 | 4590 | |||||||||||
| Canada | 8090 | 12600 | -- | -- | 297 | 872 | 9 | 3 | 8400 | 13500 | |||||||||||
| China | 16800 | 21700 | -- | -- | 26400 | 116000 | 1840 | 917 | 45100 | 139000 | |||||||||||
| France | -- | -- | -- | -- | 120 | 534 | -- | -- | 120 | 534 | |||||||||||
| Germany | 22 | 39 | -- | -- | 145 | 930 | -- | -- | 167 | 969 | |||||||||||
| Hong Kong | 82 | 92 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1080 | 639 | 1160 | 732 | |||||||||||
| Ireland | -- | -- | -- | -- | (6) | 49 | -- | -- | (6) | 49 | |||||||||||
| Japan | -- | -- | -- | -- | 143 | 884 | -- | -- | 143 | 884 | |||||||||||
| Korea, Republic of | -- | -- | -- | -- | 61 | 408 | -- | -- | 61 | 408 | |||||||||||
| Madagascar | 10800 | 9850 | -- | -- | (6) | 10 | -- | -- | 10800 | 9860 | |||||||||||
| Malaysia | -- | -- | -- | -- | (6) | 2 | -- | -- | (6) | 2 | |||||||||||
| Martinique | 20 | 23 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 20 | 23 | |||||||||||
| Mexico | 176 | 196 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 12000 | 6830 | 12200 | 7020 | |||||||||||
| Mozambique | 8070 | 7000 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 8070 | 7000 | |||||||||||
| Norway | 64 | 122 | -- | -- | 27 | 90 | -- | -- | 91 | 212 | |||||||||||
| Poland | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 | 25 | -- | -- | 1 | 25 | |||||||||||
| Sri Lanka | -- | -- | 301 | 779 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 301 | 779 | |||||||||||
| Sweden | -- | -- | -- | -- | (6) | 28 | -- | -- | (6) | 28 | |||||||||||
| Switzerland | -- | -- | -- | -- | (6) | 13 | -- | -- | (6) | 13 | |||||||||||
| Taiwan | -- | -- | -- | -- | (6) | 16 | -- | -- | (6) | 16 | |||||||||||
| United Arab Emirates | 58 | 78 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 58 | 78 | |||||||||||
| United Kingdom | -- | -- | -- | -- | 44 | 339 | -- | -- | 44 | 339 | |||||||||||
| Total | 46300 | 55400 | 301 | 779 | 27700 | 122000 | 14900 | 8390 | 89200 | 187000 | |||||||||||
| 2023: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Australia | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | (6) | 3 | (6) | 3 | |||||||||||
| Austria | 18 | 33 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 18 | 33 | |||||||||||
| Belgium | -- | -- | -- | -- | 7 | 17 | -- | -- | 7 | 17 | |||||||||||
| Brazil | 672 | 922 | -- | -- | 1440 | 3760 | 496 | 120 | 2600 | 4800 | |||||||||||
| Canada | 6760 | 9820 | -- | -- | 450 | 1200 | 26 | 7 | 7240 | 11000 | |||||||||||
| China | 6370 | 9320 | -- | -- | 22000 | 101000 | 857 | 419 | 29300 | 110000 | |||||||||||
| Colombia | -- | -- | -- | -- | (6) | 15 | -- | -- | (6) | 15 | |||||||||||
| Denmark | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 | 2 | -- | -- | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||
| Germany | 63 | 125 | -- | -- | 27 | 158 | -- | -- | 90 | 282 | |||||||||||
| India | 20 | 38 | -- | -- | 20 | 76 | -- | -- | 40 | 114 | |||||||||||
| Japan | -- | -- | -- | -- | 86 | 940 | -- | -- | 86 | 940 | |||||||||||
| Korea, Republic of | 18 | 32 | -- | -- | 250 | 1130 | -- | -- | 268 | 1170 | |||||||||||
| Madagascar | 5920 | 5860 | -- | -- | 20 | 77 | -- | -- | 5940 | 5940 | |||||||||||
| Mexico | 138 | 180 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 6930 | 4480 | 7070 | 4660 | |||||||||||
| Mozambique | 19100 | 15900 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 19100 | 15900 | |||||||||||
| Netherlands | -- | -- | -- | -- | 4 | 13 | -- | -- | 4 | 13 | |||||||||||
| Norway | 107 | 204 | -- | -- | 25 | 63 | -- | -- | 132 | 267 | |||||||||||
| Poland | 38 | 47 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 38 | 47 | |||||||||||
| South Africa | 20 | 23 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1210 | 748 | 1230 | 772 | |||||||||||
| Sri Lanka | -- | -- | 288 | 685 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 288 | 685 | |||||||||||
| Taiwan | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 | 20 | -- | -- | 1 | 20 | |||||||||||
| Turkey | -- | -- | -- | -- | (6) | 8 | 19 | 9 | 19 | 17 | |||||||||||
| United Arab Emirates | 40 | 58 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 40 | 58 | |||||||||||
| United Kingdom | 19 | 27 | -- | -- | 4 | 52 | -- | -- | 24 | 79 | |||||||||||
| Total | 39300 | 42600 | 288 | 685 | 24400 | 108000 | 9540 | 5790 | 73500 | 157000 | |||||||||||
-- Zero.
1Table includes data available through August 27, 2024. Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2The applicable Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) nomenclature is “Natural Graphite Except Powder Or Flakes,” code 2504.90.0000.
3The applicable HTS nomenclature is “Natural Graphite Crystalline Flake Exc Flake Dust,” code 2504.10.1000.
4The applicable HTS nomenclature is “Natural Graphite In Powder Or Flakes, Nesoi,” code 2504.10.5000.
5Customs values.
6Less than ½ unit.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau; data adjusted by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Source: United States Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program
See also: Graphite statistics | Mineral commodity prices