Natural latex in primary forms market in Brazil

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, Brazil's production of natural latex in primary forms increased consistently from 199.7 thousand tons to 278.0 thousand tons. This growth was initially supported by policy incentives aimed at expanding productive capacity, including an expected 4% rise in cultivated areas reported in 2018. The total market volume, calculated as production plus imports, rose from 229.4 thousand tons to 300.9 thousand tons over the same period.

A key driver emerged in 2022 with growing domestic demand for medical products like gloves and condoms, which bolstered consumption. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 caused temporary disruptions in tire factories but left the medical glove segment resilient. In 2023, a sharp 118% increase in natural rubber prices incentivized labor return and further boosted production volumes.

New regulations introduced in 2024 under Law 14.785/2023 established traceability certification for latex production and labeling, affecting compliance costs. Concurrently, a strong Brazilian real reduced import costs for inputs. By 2025, Paraná had become the nation's leading latex producer, while tax legislation changes in Goiás and the launch of new value-added products, such as infant teethers, signaled industry diversification.

Production natural latex in primary forms in Brazil

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil ranked 11th globally in the production of natural latex in primary forms.

Top producers of natural latex in primary forms, 2018-2021

World map of production of natural latex in primary forms, 2018-2021

Brazil's production of natural latex in primary forms grew for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 239.9 thousand tonnes, marking a 6.3% year-on-year increase. Over the 2018-2021 period, production rose by 20.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports natural latex in primary forms from Brazil

Exports in kind, t

The export market for natural latex in primary forms from Brazil showed significant volatility during these years. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 0.5 tonnes, then surged to a peak of 3 tonnes in 2020, representing a 5.8-fold increase. In 2021, exports dropped sharply to 1 tonne, a 49.6% decline from 2020. The largest decrease occurred in 2019, falling by 57.7%, while the biggest jump was in 2020, with a 475.1% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Portugal were the top destinations for Brazil's natural latex exports in volume terms. Paraguay accounted for 37.0% of exports, Bolivia for 9.7%, and Portugal for 7.5%, together making up 54.2% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Brazil's export value for natural latex in primary forms followed an unstable trend from 2018 to 2021. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 10 thousand US dollars, which then climbed to a high of 36 thousand US dollars in 2020, a 3.7-fold increase. In 2021, exports fell to 30 thousand US dollars, down 16.3% from the previous year. The largest drop was in 2019, with a 60.0% decrease, while the biggest gain was in 2020, rising by 265.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the United States, Argentina, and Paraguay were the leading markets for Brazil's natural latex exports by value. The United States made up 22.2% of exports, Argentina 18.6%, and Paraguay 15.9%, collectively representing 56.7% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021

Imports natural latex in primary forms to Brazil

Imports in kind, t

Brazil's imports of natural latex in primary forms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, import volume reached 36 190 tonnes, up 14.9% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 21.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, t

During 2018-2021, Thailand, Guatemala, and Vietnam were the primary sources for Brazil's natural latex imports by volume. Thailand supplied 46.2% of imports, Guatemala 23.3%, and Vietnam 22.4%, together accounting for 91.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Brazil's import value for natural latex in primary forms rose for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports totaled 63 790 thousand US dollars, a 69.2% increase year-on-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value grew by 65.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.3%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 35 750 thousand US dollars, which saw a 7.3% decline that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Thailand, Guatemala, and Vietnam led as the main suppliers of natural latex in primary forms to Brazil by value. Thailand contributed 48.2% of imports, Guatemala 22.6%, and Vietnam 20.2%, with their combined share reaching 91.0% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021