Overview of the Global Market for Natural Rubber And Gums

Market Size for Natural Rubber And Gums

In 2021, the global natural rubber and gum market decreased by -0.1% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a slight slump. Over the period under review, the global market attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Natural Rubber And Gums

In value terms, natural rubber and gum production rose modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a noticeable shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 33%. Over the period under review, global production reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Thailand (X tons), Indonesia (X tons) and Vietnam (X tons), with a combined 63% share of global production. India, Cote d'Ivoire, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Guatemala, Cambodia and Myanmar lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 31%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Cambodia (with a CAGR of +19.4%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The global average natural rubber and gum yield expanded slightly to X tons per ha in 2021, surging by 1.5% on the year before. In general, the yield, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 3.4%. The global yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2012; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, the total area harvested in terms of natural rubber and gums production worldwide shrank to X ha, leveling off at the previous year. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 4.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to natural rubber and gum production reached the maximum at X ha in 2020, and then reduced modestly in the following year.

Exports of Natural Rubber And Gums

Exports

Global natural rubber and gum exports rose significantly to X tons in 2021, increasing by 7.4% on the year before. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, natural rubber and gum exports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a noticeable contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 40% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Thailand (X tons) was the key exporter of natural rubber and gums, mixing up 69% of total exports. Vietnam (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Lao People's Democratic Republic (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 16% share of total exports. Guatemala (X tons), Malaysia (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Thailand increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Lao People's Democratic Republic (+48.0%), Vietnam (+14.3%), Guatemala (+7.8%) and Malaysia (+4.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Lao People's Democratic Republic emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +48.0% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Belgium (-8.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Vietnam (+6.1 p.p.) and Lao People's Democratic Republic (+5.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while Belgium and Thailand saw its share reduced by -3.3% and -7.4% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Thailand ($X) remains the largest natural rubber and gum supplier worldwide, comprising 67% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Vietnam ($X), with an 11% share of global exports. It was followed by Guatemala, with a 4.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Thailand totaled -2.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Vietnam (+9.2% per year) and Guatemala (+2.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average natural rubber and gum export price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a deep contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the average export price increased by 25%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Malaysia ($X per ton), while Lao People's Democratic Republic ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Vietnam (-4.4%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Natural Rubber And Gums

Imports

In 2021, global imports of natural rubber and gums declined to X tons, with a decrease of -11.3% against the previous year. Overall, total imports indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 37%. Over the period under review, global imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2020, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, natural rubber and gum imports surged to $X in 2021. In general, imports saw a perceptible decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 33%. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Malaysia (X tons) and China (X tons) represented the largest importers of natural rubber and gums in 2021, finishing at near 35% and 34% of total imports, respectively. The following importers - the United States (X tons), Belgium (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Brazil (X tons), Mexico (X tons), Turkey (X tons) and Indonesia (X tons) - together made up 16% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +20.2%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Malaysia ($X), China ($X) and the United States ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 66% share of global imports. Brazil, Belgium, the Netherlands, Turkey, Mexico and Indonesia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 14%.

Among the main importing countries, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +11.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average natural rubber and gum import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a abrupt setback. Global import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Brazil ($X per ton) and Turkey ($X per ton), while Malaysia ($X per ton) and China ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (-3.0%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

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