Top 10 Rubber Producing Countries in World [Uses & Types]

Natural Rubber is found in the fluid of some specific plants and obtained from the milky white fluid called latex, found in many plants. But it can also be produced synthetically. Synthetic rubber producers make it through the process of polymerization of various monomers

Naturally, rubber is produced by the process of tapping of the plant called Hevea Brasiliensis. The tree is a native of the Amazon River basin in South America.

These Rubber Trees generally have 32 years of economic life but they may live up to 100 years or even more than that. The plantation would start its yield from 6th year onward. Natural rubber production is processed to convert into a storable and marketable salable form.

Later on, these trees were cultivated in the plantations of Indonesia, the Malay Peninsula, and Sri Lanka. These natural rubber trees now produce about 90% of all the consumption. Gutta-percha and balata are other plants which produce.

Geographical Location for Natural Rubber Production

The ideal rubber growing regions should be 8 degrees North of Equator, 10 degrees South of Equator, and high temperature, altitude not beyond 400 meters and high humidity.

Most Common Uses of Natural Rubber

The rubber industry produces a wide range of products like the auto tire, auto tubes, automobile parts like seal & Timing Belts, footwear, Conveyor belts, cables & wires, battery boxes etc. Block, Preserved Latex, Crepes and sheets are some forms in which rubber is produced and used.

Basic Properties of Rubber

It comes back to its original shape if it is twisted or stretched but if heat is applied to the rubber, it won’t return to its original shape easily.

History of Rubber Plantation & Production

The rubber tree Hevea Brasiliensis is indigenous to Brazil and its wild growth was very common. Columbus made some knowledge available to Europe after the voyages of 1492. For the next two centuries, it was just a museum curiosity in Europe.

British inventor and chemist Charles Macintosh, in 1823, established a plant in Glasgow for the manufacture of water-proof cloth and rainproof garments. During the 19th century, the Brazilian government banned the export of rubber plant to preserve its monopoly. Therefore, the Brazilian Jungles continued to be the main source of crude rubber for most of the 19th century. – Source

Despite a rigid embargo, in 1876, a British explorer smuggled 70 thousand seeds of Hevea Brasiliensis, he was Sir Henry Wickham. These seeds were planted in London Kew Garden. Later on, plants 2,800 were sent to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and to Perak in, Malaya, for plantation, and then plantation was introduced in Indonesia.

In 1905, the year the first shipment was exported from Malaya, Malaysia. At that time Brazil was producing 99% of the world supply. Today Brazil accounts for less than one percent. Today more than 80% of plantation comes from south-east Asia.

Physical & Economic Factors for Rubber Production

For the growth of Natural Rubber following Physical conditions are necessary:

Physical Factors

1: Climate

For the optimum growth of rubber, conditions must be equatorial with a temperature of around 28C, with relatively little variation.

1.2: Temperature

Temperature is required more than 28 C best for the growth of rubber plants. Temperature plays a vital role in the best output

2: Rainfall

The distributed annual rainfall of 60 to 78 inches is required for rubber trees.

3: Soil

Rubber has a wide tolerance for different soil types and soil moisture factors such as moisture absorption, moisture holding capacity, drainage and resistance to flooding. A deep soil is required to encourage deep penetration of roots and surface rooting.

Economic Factors for Natural Rubber Production

• Energy resources
• Water availability
• Availability of Market
• Location Factor
• Sufficient amount of Capital
• Skill Labor Force
• Government Patronage
• Government Policy for Industrial Development
• Means of Transportation 10: Availability of latest Technology

2 Main Types of Natural Rubber

Rubber is one of the familiar products that can be used for Commercial, Residential and Industrial purpose. Generally, there are two types of Rubbers

1: Natural Rubber

These Natural Rubbers are derived from latex which is a milky substance found in the sap of trees. The products obtained from this process are a raw product.

2: Synthetic Rubber

Synthetic rubbers are from chemically synthesized. You can find many products in the market such as tire, sheet, pipe, floor,  strip, bands, mats, magnets, etc.

Top Countries with Natural Rubber Production

World Total Production — 15,051 million metric tons (FAO, Statistical yearbook — 2017)

The continent of Asia ranks 1st in natural rubber production with the highest exports. The plantation was introduced in Asia in the 19th century and the first shipment for foreign trade became in 1905. The first rubber plantation was introduced by the British in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and the Malay Peninsula and Indonesia. The continent of Asia produces more than 91 percent of the natural rubber production in the world.

South-east Asia is the home of natural rubber production, out of 28 countries 12 highest production countries are in Asia. Among the continents, Africa ranks 2nd and it produces more than 6 percent. Third important natural rubber producing region in South and Central America. This region produces more than 2 percent natural rubber in the world.

Top 10 Natural Rubber Producing Countries in World

Today, 28 countries which produce rubber in the world and ranked differently as per their largest rubber exports. These are the largest producing and exporting countries to date.

1: Thailand

Thailand ranks first in natural rubber production in the world. This southeast Asian country has a monsoon climate, which is most suitable for vegetative growth of the rubber plants. Southern Thailand region has world’s largest rubber plantation.

Thailand produces 3.12 million metric tons of natural rubber, and area under rubber plantation was 1.7 million hectares. Per hectare yield in Thailand is 17,710 kg.

2: Indonesia

Indonesia is the 2nd largest natural rubber producer in the world. Tropical and monsoon climate suitability has encouraged plantation in Indonesia. Indonesia shared about 21% output of the world.

Its rubber production was 2.54 million metric tons and area under rubber plantation was 3.175 million, while per hectare yield was 8000 kg, which is very low.

3: Malaysia

Malaysia ranks third after Thailand and Indonesia. The west coastal and piedmont zone of the Malay Peninsula and western part of Kalimantan is important for rubber estates.

Rubber output was 1,270,000 metric tons, while the area under plantation was 3,175,000 hectares and shared about 10% of the total production of the world.

4: India

Natural rubber plantation was introduced in India in 1880 when rubber was planted in Travancore and Malabar regions, but commercial plantation started at a relatively later date of 1902. Kerala is the most important largest rubber producer state in India, accounting for 92% for 92% of India’s rubber acreage.

Tamal Nadu, Karnataka, Nicobar Islands, Tripura, Mizorarn and Assam are other producing states. In the recent past, India produced 803,000 metric tons natural rubber, while the area under plantation was 450,000 hectares.

5: Vietnam

Vietnam has emerged as the fifth largest natural rubber producer in the world. The area around the Ho “Chi Minh” city is of fundamental importance for rubber cultivation. Vietnam exports the bulk of her natural rubber output to international market.

Its natural rubber production was 550,000 metric tons (550 thousand metric tons). Plantation area is 512 thousand hectares.

6: China

China is another outstanding country among rubber producing countries and has emerged as 6th largest producer. China is an emerging industrial nation, its demand is very large, and therefore it is a deficit in production. China import natural rubber from other countries.

China’s rubber plantations are located at the hills of the south-east and in the Yangtze basin and coastal belt.

It produced 545,000 metric tons rubber, while the area under plantation was 475,000 hectares.

7: Philippines

The Archipelago of Philippine has a suitable climate for plantation. It has emerged an important country among producers in the recent decade. Philippines coastal regions are most suitable. Its production is 360 thousand metric tons and 95 thousand hectares plantation area.

8: Nigeria

During the last decade of the 20th century, Nigeria expanded its hectare age and yield and has become the 8th largest rubber producing country in the world. Favorable geographical conditions, cheap labor, nearness to the European market and foreign investment has increased plantation in Nigeria.

Rubber production was 143 thousand metric tons, while the area under rubber plantation was 340 thousand hectares.

9: Cote-d-Ivore

In the West African region, plantation first started in Liberia but Cote-d-Ivoire out ranked Liberia within short period. The Cote-d-Ivoire ranks 9th in the world.

During recent years, Its average rubber production was 128 thousand metric tons while hectare age under plantation was 75 thousand hectares. It is the largest rubber producing country in Africa. Cote-d-Ivoire exports all its production to European countries

10: Sri Lanka

In South, Asia rubber was first planted in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) towards the close of the 19th century. Being a small country expansion of rubber plantation is not possible. Even then, Sri Lanka is 10th largest producer in the world.

This is due to favorable Geographical conditions, cheap labor and easy shipment to international market. Cultivation of rubber is concentrated in the southwestern foothills of the central highlands.

Sri Lanka produced 117.6 thousand metric tons rubber, from 116.4 thousand hectares rubber estates. Sri Lanka’s 97 percent rubber output enters the international market.

Other Rubber Production Countries

The countries Brazil, Liberia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Cameroon, Congo, Guatemala, Liberia, Mexico, Myanmar and Papua New Guinea are some other Rubber Producing Countries