According to the data from ANRPC (Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries), about 13,794,000 tons of natural rubber were produced in 2018, seeing a 4.5% growth year on year. China's natural rubber output reached 837,000 tons in 2018,making only 6% of the total natural rubber produced worldwide.

However, China is the largest market for natural rubber and accounts for nearly 50% of the total global consumption, therefore, it relies heavily on imports. In the past five years, China’s natural rubber import varies from year to year, but the reliance on import remains high at 76% to 77%.

(Data Source: China Customs)

The import and export of natural rubber is closely related to the international and domestic economic environment. In 2018, China has imported a total of 2.6 million tons of natural rubber and exported 13,300 tons, seeing a year-on-year decrease of 7.07% and 17.91% respectively.

(Data Source: China Customs) 

One of the major causes for the sluggish natural rubber market in 2018 may include the trade war between US and China. Most of the natural rubbers acquired in China are used for manufacturing tires, while US is the largest target market for China’s rubber tire exports.

The  trade war launched by the Trump administration is undoubtedly putting pressure on the tire export, which will in return affect the natural rubber demand in the automotive industry, therefore, both the export and import of natural rubber will be affected.