10 World’s Largest Country Producers of Natural Rubber
10 World’s Largest Country Producers of Natural Rubber- There are 10 World’s Largest Country Producers of Natural Rubber in 2022 based on The Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statistical Database (FAOSTAT), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN). So far, as we know, natural rubber is an important agricultural commodity in the world. Its usage is remarkably diverse, especially as the main ingredient for making tires (for vehicle transportation) and for some tools/products (tools) that require flexibility.
Table Rank of 10 World’s Largest Country Producers of Natural Rubber in 2021 and 2022
Rank |
Country Producers |
Production of Natural
Rubber in 2021 |
Production of Natural
Rubber in 2022 |
(Tons) |
(Tons) |
||
1 |
Thailand |
4,643,721 |
4,825,907 |
2 |
Indonesia |
3,121,474 |
3,135,287 |
3 |
Viet Nam |
1,271,858 |
1,339,533 |
4 |
Côte d'Ivoire |
730,062 |
1,286,000 |
5 |
India |
749,000 |
843,000 |
6 |
China, mainland |
749,000 |
843,000 |
7 |
Philippines |
430,636 |
415,750 |
8 |
Cambodia |
374,300 |
394,700 |
9 |
Malaysia |
469,669 |
377,047 |
10 |
Myanmar |
259,500 |
299,600 |
Source: FAOSTAT, 2024 |
The Statistical Production
of Natural Rubber Based on Continent in 2022
Continent |
Production of Natural
Rubber in 2022 |
(Tons) |
|
Africa |
1,759,915 |
Americas |
503,620 |
Asia |
12,856,358 |
Oceania |
5,500 |
Source: FAOSTAT, 2024 |
According
to the FAOSTAT report, related to the specific continental production area, the
main area of rubber producer still located in Asian continent with a
contribution of 88.4% of total world production and its output reaches 12.3
million tons, followed by the African continent with contribution of 6.8% of
world’s natural rubber production or around 1.7 million tons, and America at
4.7% or around 503 thousand tons.
The World’s Harvested Areas and World’s Production of Natural Rubber From 1970 to 2022
Years |
World's Area Harvested |
World's Production of
Natural Rubber |
(Hectare (Ha)) |
(Tons) |
|
1970 |
4,621,270 |
2,986,300 |
1971 |
4,921,659 |
3,036,401 |
1972 |
4,995,756 |
3,058,785 |
1973 |
5,305,485 |
3,404,407 |
1974 |
5,289,063 |
3,361,652 |
1975 |
5,187,221 |
3,269,255 |
1976 |
5,393,247 |
3,576,326 |
1977 |
5,364,701 |
3,606,015 |
1978 |
5,433,481 |
3,674,133 |
1979 |
5,623,976 |
3,800,000 |
1980 |
5,382,587 |
3,748,108 |
1981 |
5,388,271 |
3,754,740 |
1982 |
5,520,018 |
3,763,673 |
1983 |
5,536,149 |
4,035,568 |
1984 |
5,577,805 |
4,100,807 |
1985 |
5,932,797 |
4,247,001 |
1986 |
5,994,647 |
4,616,828 |
1987 |
6,202,752 |
4,824,452 |
1988 |
6,284,894 |
5,119,374 |
1989 |
6,455,238 |
5,143,902 |
1990 |
6,524,444 |
5,225,364 |
1991 |
6,505,774 |
5,181,724 |
1992 |
6,629,406 |
5,417,798 |
1993 |
6,824,095 |
5,605,260 |
1994 |
6,860,762 |
5,820,598 |
1995 |
7,068,143 |
6,077,753 |
1996 |
7,095,420 |
6,345,760 |
1997 |
7,215,984 |
6,512,854 |
1998 |
7,253,853 |
6,568,417 |
1999 |
7,296,365 |
6,732,481 |
2000 |
7,462,279 |
7,094,493 |
2001 |
7,702,246 |
7,483,208 |
2002 |
7,766,542 |
7,718,453 |
2003 |
7,899,821 |
8,410,303 |
2004 |
8,044,280 |
9,260,420 |
2005 |
8,795,913 |
9,522,639 |
2006 |
8,351,672 |
10,371,992 |
2007 |
8,555,699 |
10,603,048 |
2008 |
9,371,407 |
10,749,873 |
2009 |
9,246,329 |
10,269,146 |
2010 |
9,470,085 |
10,839,102 |
2011 |
9,646,159 |
11,620,548 |
2012 |
10,351,835 |
12,705,101 |
2013 |
10,873,541 |
13,126,410 |
2014 |
11,340,646 |
13,384,995 |
2015 |
11,529,209 |
13,361,463 |
2016 |
11,691,461 |
13,613,340 |
2017 |
11,885,937 |
13,906,753 |
2018 |
12,249,646 |
14,233,304 |
2019 |
12,623,253 |
14,522,719 |
2020 |
13,189,158 |
14,184,941 |
2021 |
13,420,413 |
14,629,302 |
2022 |
13,785,378 |
15,125,393 |
Source: FAOSTAT, 2024 |
Historically, the world’s statistical production of natural
rubber has increased from time to time along with the growing demand in the
rubber industry. In the year 1970, the world’s area harvested of Hevea brasiliensis
reached 4.6 million hectares (Ha) with total production reaching 2.8 million
tons. After more than 50 years, the area harvested of Hevea brasiliensis
has increased gradually. In 2022, the total production of natural rubber
worldwide becomes 15 million tons with 13.7 million hectares (ha) of the area
harvested.
Brief Description of 10 World’s Largest Country Producers of Natural
Rubber in 2022
1.Thailand
Thailand still becomes the world’s largest rubber-producing
country with natural rubber production reach 4.8 million tons in 2022. Geographically,
most of the rubber plantation area is in the southern region. Surat Thani,
Trang, Songkla, and Yala provinces are some of the provinces with the largest
cultivation area in Thailand. In 2019, Thai rubber plants experienced many
attacks by leaf fall disease caused by the fungal pathogen Pestalotiopsis sp.
More than 600 thousand hectares of rubber plants had been damaged due to this
disease.
In Thailand, rubber is greatly beneficial as raw material
for making tires for vehicles, gloves, and various other products. In addition,
in this country, many automotive industry companies use and need a lot of
rubber raw materials. Companies such as Bridgestone, Michelin, Yokohama, and
Durex are some of the main consumers for rubber customers in the country. Apart
from meeting domestic needs, Thai rubber also exported to many countries in the
world such as China, Malaysia, South Korea, and several countries in the world.
2. Indonesia
Indonesia is the 2nd world’s largest
rubber-producing country in the world. In 2022, the rubber produced reached 3.1
million tons. Historically, in the beginning, rubber in Indonesia was
cultivated in North Sumatra in 1903 and in Java in 1906. The seeds came from
England and were sent to Bogor in 1876 which was collected by an explorer from
England, namely Henry Alexander Wickman from the area between the Tapajoz and
Medeira River in the middle of the Amazon Valley.
Until now, the area of rubber cultivation has spread to
various provinces in Indonesia. Data from the Director-General of Plantation,
Ministry of Agriculture noted that the total area of rubber plantations
reached 3.7 million hectares, including state, Farmers, and private companies.
In Indonesia, rubber plantation areas are still dominated by smallholder farmer
plantations. Data records that the area of smallholder plantations reaches 3
million hectares, so that almost half of the total area of Indonesian rubber
plantations is smallholder plantations.
Statistically, according to the Directorate of Estate,
Ministry of Agriculture, in 2020, geographically, there are some provinces in
Indonesia that has become the main rubber plantation. These provinces include
Sumatera Selatan, Sumatera Utara, Riau, Jambi, Kalimantan Barat, Kalimantan Tengah,
Kalimantan Selatan, Bengkulu, and Lampung.
3. Vietnam
Vietnam is the 3rd world’s largest country producer
of natural rubber. In 2022, Vietnam’s natural rubber production reached 1.3
million tons. In this country, rubber was first planted and cultivated in the
1900s during the French occupation of this country. Over time, plants began to
spread to various regions in the country of Vietnam and became one of the main
contributors in generating foreign exchange for this country. In 2017, total
foreign exchange from rubber plant products reached the US $ 6 billion or
around 3% of Vietnam’s total exports.
Until now, geographically, the southern part of Vietnam is
still the largest area for rubber cultivation. The total planted area in this
region reaches more than 500 thousand hectares. The provinces of Giai Lai, Kon
Tum, Dak Lak, Dak Nom, and Lam Dong are the centers of rubber cultivation areas
in the country. Giai Lai Province has an area of around 120 thousand
hectares, Kon Tum around 80 thousand hectares, Dak Lak about 40 thousand
hectares, Dak Nong about 30 thousand hectares, and Lam Dong about 25 thousand
hectares. In this country, control of rubber land is still managed by
state-owned rubber companies that control more than 80% of the entire rubber
plantation area in the country. Most of the rubber from Vietnam is for export.
The export destination for Vietnamese rubber is mainly China.
4.Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire is the 4th world’s biggest
country producer of Natural Rubber in 2022. According to FAO Statistical
Corporate Database, the production of natural rubber from Côte d’Ivoire reached
1.2 million tons. Statistically, Côte d’Ivoire is Africa’s biggest rubber
producer. Beside fulfilling the domestic needs, Côte d’Ivoire also exported its
rubber to foreign countries about 1 million tons in 2020. Genetically, some of
rubber clones developed in Ivory coast are IRCA 111, IRCA 109, IRCA 130, IRCA
18, GT 1, PR 107.
5. India
India is the 5th world’s natural largest
producer of natural rubber in the world in 2022. In that year, its total rubber
production reached 843 thousand tons. In this country, the introduction of
rubber began in the late 1800s and cultivated commercially in 1902. Until now,
rubber plants have developed and are widespread in several states.
Geographically, the Kerala, Tripura, Assam, and Tamil Nandu regions are the
main centers of rubber cultivation in India. Although domestic demand is
increasing, India also exported its rubber to several countries in the world.
In this country, many rubber plants are cultivated by
small-scale farmers with a planted area of under 10 hectares (ha). Total
Small farmers Who cultivated this commodity around 1.3 million. In India, the
usage of rubber is to meet industrial needs, especially in the transportation
sector.
6.China
China was the world’s 6th largest country producer
of natural rubber in 2022. In that year, its total rubber production reached 843
thousand tons. Most of which came from Yunnan Province. In this country, many
rubber plantations are cultivated by large plantations such as Sinochem
International Corporation, China Hainan Rubber Industry Group Co., Ltd.,
Guangdong Guangken Rubber Group Co., Ltd., and Yunnan State Farms Group Co.,
Ltd. Despite being the 5th largest rubber-producing country in the world, China
still imported natural rubber from other countries. Approximately 41% of the
world’s total rubber needs are imported to this panda country.
7.Philippines
Philippines is the 7th biggest country
producer of natural rubber in 2022. According to FAO Statistical Corporate
Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Natural Rubber from Philippines reached 415,750
tons. Geographically, there are some areas of natural rubber production areas
in Philippines. As of 2021, the top rubber-producing province in the country is
Cotabato, Zamboanga Sibugay and Basilan.
8.Cambodia
Cambodia is the 8th biggest country
producer of natural rubber in 2022. Statistically, the production of rubber
from Cambodia reached 394,700 tons. Geographically, in Cambodia, there are some
province of rubber plantations. These provinces include Kampong Cham, Kratie,
Kampong Thom, Ratanakiri, Mondulkiri, Battambang.
9.Malaysia
Malaysia is the 9th biggest country
producer of natural rubber in 2022. According to FAO Statistical Corporate
Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Natural Rubber from Malaysia reached 377,947
tons. Historically, the rubber plantation was started in Malaysia in 1877 and
still developed until now. Geographically, Johor still of Southern Malaysia
still becomes the greatest contributor to Malaysia’s rubber output.
10.Myanmar
Myanmar is the 10th biggest country
producer of Natural rubber in 2022. Commonly, the production of Myanmar’s
rubber reached 299,600 tons. In Myanmar, geographically, there are some states
that has huge production of natural rubber. Mon State, Tanintharyi, Kayin are
some of the regions in Myanmar that has huge population of rubber trees. This
region still become the center production of Rubber in Myanmar.
The Summary of 10 World’s Largest Country Producers of Natural Rubber in 2022
Source of Article 10 World’s largest natural rubber producers
Food and Agriculture Organization. 2024. Natural
Rubber: top 10 producers 2022. Accessed via http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC/visualize
PR Newswire. 2020. Global and China Natural Rubber
Industry Report, 2019-2025. Accessed via https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-and-china-natural-rubber-industry-report-2019-2025-300854424.html
Phuc, X and Tran H. N. 2014. Rubber Expansion and Forest
Protection in Vietnam. Accessed via https://www.forest-trends.org/publications/rubber-expansion-and-forest-protection-in-vietnam/
Forrest Trend. 2018. Vietnam Rubber Industry
(current Status and sustainable development solution). Accessed via http://goviet.org.vn/upload/aceweb/content/2019.9.20.%20FINAL_EN_Report_Vietnam%20Rubber%20Industry%20GC%20nbt.pdf
Department of Commerce. 2019. National
Rubber Policy 2019. Accessed via https://commerce.gov.in/writereaddata/uploadedfile/MOC_636871123490373426_National%20Rubber%20Policy%202019.pdf.
Dirjen Perkebunan, Kementrian Pertanian.2019. Buku
Publikasi Statistik Karet (Rubber) 2018 – 2020. Accessed via http://ditjenbun.pertanian.go.id/?publikasi=buku-publikasi-statistik-2018-2020.
Sayamol, K dan Bandita.Y. 2006.Rights of Rubber Farmers
in Thailand under Free Trade Accessed via https://wrm.org.uy/other-relevant-information/rights-of-rubber-farmers-in-thailand-under-free-trade/
Thailand Board of Investment. 2016. Thailand’s
Rubber Industry. Accessed via https://www.boi.go.th/upload/content/Rubber_5a3b80bcc4882.pdf.
PCAARRD’s Industry Strategic Science and Technology Plans.
Accessed via https://ispweb.pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph/isp-commodities/rubber/#:~:text=As%20of%202021%2C%20the%20top,Zamboanga%20Peninsula%2C%20SOCCSKSARGEN%20and%20BARMM .
Yem, D., Top, N., Lic, V. (2015). Rubber Plantation
Development in Cambodia: A Cost-Benefit Analysis. In: James, D., Francisco, H.
(eds) Cost-Benefit Studies of Natural Resource Management in Southeast Asia.
Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-393-4_7
FFTC Agricultural Policy Platform (FFTC-AP). Myanmar’s
natural rubber Forward Policy: How to do it. Accessed via https://ap.fftc.org.tw/article/2606 .