Natural latex in primary forms market in Middle Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the natural latex market in Central Africa experienced fluctuations in both volume and value. Physical market volume peaked at 74 519 t in 2020 after rising from 69 645 t in 2018, then declined to 64 705 t in 2022 before recovering to 73 504 t in 2023. In monetary terms, the market value grew from $57.7 million in 2018 to $72.9 million in 2021, then eased to $67.7 million by 2023, while production volume generally remained between 85 700 t and 91 000 t.

The market landscape began to shift in 2024, driven by policy initiatives and global factors. The Ivorian government actively promoted local natural rubber processing, targeting primary processing of all domestic output by year-end, which reshaped regional supply chains. Concurrently, El Niño-induced rainfall reductions curtailed natural latex production in key Asian countries, tightening global supply and supporting higher prices that encouraged further sector investment in Central Africa.

Production natural latex in primary forms in Middle Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

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

In 2019, Middle Africa produced 90 869 tonnes of natural latex in primary forms, which decreased by 1.6% to 89 422 tonnes in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 4.1%, with an average annual decline of 1.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 88 538 tonnes, marking the largest decline of 5.1% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 2.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Middle Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Middle Africa's production of natural latex in primary forms increased in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 75 193 thousand US dollars, up 2.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 2.5%, with an average annual increase of 0.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 73 371 thousand US dollars, which saw a marginal decline of 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Middle Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports natural latex in primary forms from Middle Africa

Exports in kind, t

Exports of natural latex in primary forms from Middle Africa declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 15 060 tonnes, reflecting a significant year-on-year drop of 13.6%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 3%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 18 916 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 29.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Malaysia, and Belgium were the main markets for Middle Africa's exports of natural latex in primary forms in volume terms. The United States accounted for 41.1% of exports, Malaysia for 25.4%, and Belgium for 10.2%. Together, these three countries represented 76.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Exports of natural latex in primary forms from Middle Africa declined in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 12 663 thousand US dollars, showing a decrease of 10.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 10.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 15 675 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 36.3%. In 2019, exports experienced the largest decline of 10.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Malaysia, and Belgium consistently remained the main destinations for Middle Africa's exports of natural latex in primary forms in value terms. The United States accounted for 52.6% of exports, Malaysia for 13.9%, and Belgium for 12.9%. Collectively, these three markets represented 79.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports natural latex in primary forms to Middle Africa

Imports in kind, t

Imports of natural latex in primary forms into Middle Africa increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 157 tonnes, showing a substantial gain of 398.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 956.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 119.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, natural latex in primary forms was imported into Middle Africa from many countries. Even the largest sources—China, Mexico, and Spain—together accounted for only 12.9% of total imports in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of natural latex in primary forms into Middle Africa increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 196 thousand US dollars, up by 91.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 472.6%, with an average annual increase of 78.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, imports of natural latex in primary forms into Middle Africa in value terms were distributed across a large number of markets. Mexico accounted for 30.1% of imports, South Africa for 9.8%, and the United States for 8.4%. Together, these three countries represented only 48.3% of total import flows.

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

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