Natural latex in primary forms market in Malaysia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, Malaysia's natural latex production and market volume expanded, supported by sustained demand from the healthcare sector for medical gloves and ongoing investments in sustainable farming practices that improved yield and quality. Major state-owned companies and established plantations contributed to this growth phase.

Starting in 2020, supply chain disruptions from global events significantly reduced latex availability, leading to a multi-year decline in production and market volume. The market was further affected by regional economic factors and vulnerabilities in global supply chains, which persisted through 2022.

In response, the Malaysian government introduced the Latex Production Incentive Pilot Project (IPL) and the Malaysian Sustainable Natural Rubber Pilot Project (MSNR) in 2023 to stimulate production. However, price volatility and global trade policies, including tariffs affecting exports, continued to influence the market into 2024 and 2025.

Production natural latex in primary forms in Malaysia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Malaysia ranked seventh globally in production volume 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

Malaysia's production of natural latex in primary forms declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 469.7 thousand tonnes, marking an 8.7% decrease from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 22.2%, with an average annual decline of 8.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 639.8 thousand tonnes, which represented a 6.0% increase from the previous year. However, in 2020, production saw its largest drop of 19.6%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, the output of natural latex in primary forms in Malaysia was valued at 1 262 million US dollars, reflecting an 11.9% gain from 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 1 128 million US dollars, which was a 14.9% decline from the peak of 1 326 million US dollars in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Malaysia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports natural latex in primary forms from Malaysia

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Malaysia's exports of natural latex in primary forms increased in 2021. Exports totaled 21.1 thousand tonnes, showing a modest uptick of 7.3% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 21.9%, equating to an average annual decline of 7.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 19.7 thousand tonnes, which represented a 15.2% drop from the year before.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, China, Italy, and Japan consistently held the top positions in Malaysia's export structure for natural latex in primary forms by volume. China accounted for 25.8% of exports, Italy for 13.0%, and Japan for 11.5%, together making up 50.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Malaysia's exports of natural latex in primary forms in value terms increased in 2021. Exports amounted to 56.7 million US dollars, up by 31.5% compared to 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 43.1 million US dollars, after a 15.8% decline in 2019.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Malaysia's exports of natural latex in primary forms in value terms were widely dispersed across partner countries. China accounted for 25.9% of exports, Italy for 12.8%, and Japan for 10.8%, with these three countries together representing 49.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports natural latex in primary forms to Malaysia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Malaysia imported 337.3 thousand tonnes of natural latex in primary forms, representing a modest decrease of 3.4% compared to 2020. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 312.0 thousand tonnes, which was a 6.4% decline from the previous year. Imports then peaked in 2020 at 349.3 thousand tonnes, showing an 11.9% increase.

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

Throughout the 2018-2021 period, Malaysia's imports of natural latex in primary forms by volume were heavily concentrated on Thailand, which accounted for 99.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Malaysia's imports of natural latex in primary forms in value terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports came to 764.3 million US dollars, up by 19.8% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 31.6%, with an average annual increase of 9.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 538.1 million US dollars, which represented a 7.3% decline from the year before.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Thailand remained the dominant and nearly sole destination for Malaysia's imports of natural latex in primary forms in value terms, holding a share of 99.5%.

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

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