Natural latex in primary forms market in Laos

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, natural latex production in Laos increased from 131.9 thousand tons to 201.6 thousand tons. This growth was primarily driven by foreign investment entering the rubber industry and the ongoing expansion of new rubber plantations, supported by government oversight aimed at ensuring product quality and sustainability. During these years, a rising share of the output was exported, which reached 90.4 thousand tons in 2020, leading to a slight contraction in the domestic market size from 120.3 thousand tons to 111.2 thousand tons.

Starting in 2021, production accelerated further, reaching 317.4 thousand tons by 2023, as foreign investment and plantation development continued. Concurrently, export volumes fell sharply from a peak of 97.4 thousand tons in 2021 to 36.2 thousand tons in 2023. With less latex shipped abroad, domestic availability surged, causing the market size to expand rapidly from 128.7 thousand tons in 2021 to 281.3 thousand tons in 2023.

Production natural latex in primary forms in Laos

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Laos maintained the 12th position globally in terms of production volume for natural latex in primary forms.

Top producers of natural latex in primary forms, 2017-2020

World map of production of natural latex in primary forms, 2017-2020

Laos saw its production of natural latex in primary forms increase for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 201.6 thousand tonnes, marking a 10.8% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 157.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 37.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Laos in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports natural latex in primary forms from Laos

Exports in kind, t

Exports of natural latex in primary forms from Laos increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, shipments abroad reached 90 415 tonnes, representing a significant gain of 31.2% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 763.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 105.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Laos in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, exports in kind were heavily concentrated on China, which accounted for 99.4% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Laos in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest export value was recorded in 2018, while the highest was in 2020, reflecting a 2.9-fold gap between these years. In 2020, shipments of natural latex in primary forms from Laos amounted to 67 244 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp advance of 28.5% compared to 2019. The minimum value was 22 859 thousand US dollars in 2018. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 11.1%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 129.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Laos in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017–2020, China accounted for almost all exports in value terms of natural latex in primary forms from Laos, with a share of 99.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Laos in value, 2017-2020

Imports natural latex in primary forms to Laos

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. The period from 2019 to 2020 saw a peak-to-trough amplitude of 3.9 times. In 2020, foreign supplies of natural latex in primary forms to Laos amounted to 2 tonnes, which is 74.2% less than the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 9 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 23.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Laos in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China and Thailand dominated the geographical structure of imports in kind of natural latex in primary forms to Laos, jointly accounting for 99.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Laos in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. The lowest import value occurred in 2019, while the highest was reached in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 4.6 times. In 2020, imports of natural latex in primary forms to Laos amounted to 3 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a strong uptick of 20.7% over the past year. The minimum value was 2 thousand US dollars in 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 78.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Laos in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017–2020, China and Thailand were the core markets for imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 95.4% of total flows, while other destinations had comparatively modest shares.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Laos in value, 2017-2020