Sri Lanka: Graphite Market 2024

Graphite Market Size in Sri Lanka

In 2021, the Sri Lankan graphite market decreased by -30.8% to $X for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year rising trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a prominent increase. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2020, and then fell notably in the following year.

Graphite Production in Sri Lanka

In value terms, graphite production fell slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +69.1% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 28% against the previous year. Graphite production peaked at $X in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

Graphite Exports

Exports from Sri Lanka

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in shipments abroad of graphite (natural), when their volume increased by 26% to X tons. Overall, exports, however, showed a slight descent. The exports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, graphite exports soared to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Japan (X tons), Germany (X tons) and the United States (X tons) were the main destinations of graphite exports from Sri Lanka, with a combined 72% share of total exports. These countries were followed by the UK, South Korea, the Czech Republic, India and Pakistan, which together accounted for a further 21%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by South Korea (with a CAGR of +11.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for graphite exported from Sri Lanka were Japan ($X), Germany ($X) and the United States ($X), together accounting for 62% of total exports. These countries were followed by South Korea, the UK, India, the Czech Republic and Pakistan, which together accounted for a further 23%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, South Korea, with a CAGR of +12.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average graphite export price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 17% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.7%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was South Korea ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Pakistan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United States (+4.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Graphite Imports

Imports into Sri Lanka

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in purchases abroad of graphite (natural), when their volume decreased by -43.4% to X tons. Over the period under review, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 549%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2020, and then dropped dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, graphite imports plummeted to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, enjoyed strong growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 482% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2020, and then fell significantly in the following year.

Imports by Country

India (X tons), the United States (X tons) and Turkey (X tons) were the main suppliers of graphite imports to Sri Lanka, with a combined 83% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Turkey (with a CAGR of +32.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) constituted the largest supplier of graphite to Sri Lanka, comprising 41% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($X), with a 19% share of total imports. It was followed by India, with a 5.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Turkey totaled +80.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (+31.1% per year) and India (-1.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average graphite import price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 35% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a prominent expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 56% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while the price for India ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+36.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :