What is the Foundation of China's Natural Rubber Market?

Supply and Imports

In 2025, China's natural rubber output reached 973,000 tonnes, a new high for the third consecutive year, with production concentrated in Yunnan, Hainan, and Guangdong. In 2024, the national rubber plantation area was approximately 16.772 million mu, of which nearly 30% required replanting.

In 2025, natural rubber imports on a dry rubber basis totalled 6.492 million tonnes, accounting for roughly half of global imports. Traditional sources are Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia; in recent years, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Côte d'Ivoire have gained importance, with imports from Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia reaching 979,800 tonnes in 2025, up 32.51% year on year.

Downstream Scale

Industry data show that in 2024, China had 4,482 rubber product enterprises above designated size, generating main business revenue of RMB 815.9 billion. Tire output reached 1.186 billion units (including motorcycle tyres and other outer tyres), representing roughly one-third of world output. Rubber sheets, hoses and belts, rubber parts, daily-use and medical rubber products, rubber footwear, engineering rubber, and reclaimed rubber together constitute a massive customer base.

Data Discipline and Definitions

Statistics must distinguish between natural rubber, natural rubber latex, compound rubber, mixed rubber, and processing trade; customs aggregates, exchange inventories, and actual rubber consumption by end-users cannot be used interchangeably. When citing data, specify the category, whether on a dry rubber basis, the time period, and the statistical scope.