Graphite is an industrial cornerstone — used in lithium-ion batteries, refractories and lubricants — and where it’s mined affects local economies and global supply chains. Mapping who produces graphite helps readers understand trade flows, investment risks and sourcing options.
There are 12 Graphite-Producing Countries, ranging from Brazil to Ukraine. For each country, you’ll find below data organized under Flag,Production (t, year),Main type so you can quickly compare output, reporting year and whether the graphite is flake, amorphous or vein.
Which countries currently produce the most graphite and why?
China remains the largest producer by far, with countries like Mozambique, Brazil and India also significant; production levels reflect deposit size, mining investment, processing capacity and demand from industries such as battery manufacturing and steelmaking.
How do I interpret the ‘Production (t, year)’ and ‘Main type’ columns?
“Production (t, year)” shows metric tonnes reported for the stated year (check the table notes for the exact reporting period), while “Main type” indicates the dominant form—flake, amorphous or vein—which affects price and end-use; the Flag column simply identifies the country.
Graphite-Producing Countries
| Country | Flag | Production (t, year) | Main type |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 🇨🇳 | 850,000 (t, 2023) | Flake/Amorphous |
| Mozambique | 🇲🇿 | 300,000 (t, 2023) | Flake |
| Madagascar | 🇲🇬 | 110,000 (t, 2023) | Flake |
| Brazil | 🇧🇷 | 82,000 (t, 2023) | Flake |
| Russia | 🇷🇺 | 40,000 (t, 2023) | Amorphous |
| India | 🇮🇳 | 30,000 (t, 2023) | Amorphous |
| Canada | 🇨🇦 | 15,000 (t, 2023) | Flake |
| Norway | 🇳🇴 | 10,000 (t, 2023) | Flake |
| North Korea | 🇰🇵 | 8,000 (t, 2023) | Flake |
| Ukraine | 🇺🇦 | 6,000 (t, 2023) | Flake |
| Pakistan | 🇵🇰 | 4,000 (t, 2023) | Amorphous |
| Sri Lanka | 🇱🇰 | 200 (t, 2023) | Vein |
Images and Descriptions
China
China dominates global graphite supply, producing the majority of the world’s total. It is a major source for both amorphous and flake graphite, critical for batteries and industrial uses, with production centered in Heilongjiang and Shandong. Source: USGS 2024.
Mozambique
Mozambique has rapidly become a top producer, known for its high-quality, large-flake graphite from the Balama deposit, one of the world’s largest. This material is highly sought after for electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems. Source: USGS 2024.
Madagascar
A significant producer of large-flake graphite, Madagascar has a long history of mining. Its operations are key suppliers for refractories and expanding markets like lithium-ion batteries, with major deposits located in the eastern part of the country. Source: USGS 2024.
Brazil
Brazil is a major graphite producer in the Americas, with significant deposits of flake graphite in the state of Minas Gerais. The country supplies graphite for traditional industrial applications like lubricants and refractories, as well as the battery sector. Source: USGS 2024.
Russia
Russia is a notable producer, primarily of amorphous graphite from operations located in Siberia. This graphite is traditionally used in industries like steelmaking, lubricants, and foundries rather than the high-tech battery sector. Source: USGS 2024.
India
India is a consistent producer of amorphous graphite, with production centered in states like Odisha, Jharkhand, and Tamil Nadu. The country primarily serves its domestic industrial needs for foundries, lubricants, and refractory materials. Source: USGS 2024.
Canada
Canada is an established producer of high-quality flake graphite, with its main mine, Lac des Îles, located in Quebec. The country is positioning itself as a key supplier for the North American electric vehicle battery supply chain. Source: USGS 2024.
Norway
Norway is Europe’s leading producer of natural graphite, sourcing high-quality flake graphite from its Skaland mine. This operation is one of the highest-grade flake graphite mines in the world, contributing to the European battery supply chain. Source: USGS 2024.
North Korea
North Korea has substantial graphite resources, primarily flake graphite. However, reliable production data is often difficult to verify due to the country’s isolation, with estimates varying significantly across different reporting agencies. Source: USGS estimate 2024.
Ukraine
Ukraine possesses significant graphite deposits, particularly in the Zavallya region. Production has been impacted by regional conflict, but the country holds some of Europe’s largest reserves, primarily supplying industrial-grade flake graphite. Source: USGS 2024.
Pakistan
Pakistan produces amorphous graphite, primarily from deposits in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The output primarily serves local industrial demand for products like crucibles, lubricants, and foundry facings. Source: USGS estimate 2024.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is globally unique as the only country that commercially mines ultra-high-purity lump or vein graphite. This rare and valuable form of graphite is prized for its exceptional conductivity and crystalline structure for specialized applications. Source: USGS 2024.
