United Kingdom: Market for Natural Rubber And Gums 2025

Market Size for Natural Rubber And Gums in the UK

The UK natural rubber and gum market contracted notably to $X in 2022, reducing by -21.4% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption continues to indicate a deep setback. Natural rubber and gum consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Natural Rubber And Gums

Exports from the UK

In 2022, shipments abroad of natural rubber and gums decreased by -19.9% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after four years of growth. Over the period under review, exports recorded a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 109% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, natural rubber and gum exports declined notably to $X in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate a perceptible contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 124% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons) was the main destination for natural rubber and gum exports from the UK, accounting for a 28% share of total exports. Moreover, natural rubber and gum exports to Germany exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Malaysia (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the Netherlands (X tons), with an 8.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Germany amounted to +1.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Malaysia (+44.8% per year) and the Netherlands (+5.7% per year).

In value terms, India ($X), the United States ($X) and Poland ($X) were the largest markets for natural rubber and gum exported from the UK worldwide, with a combined 32% share of total exports. Germany, Hong Kong SAR, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Romania, Spain, Malaysia, Sweden and Israel lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 39%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, the Czech Republic, with a CAGR of +145.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average natural rubber and gum export price amounted to $X per ton, approximately equating the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a notable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 115% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Malaysia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to India (+6.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Natural Rubber And Gums

Imports into the UK

Natural rubber and gum imports into the UK dropped significantly to X tons in 2022, declining by -22.3% compared with 2021 figures. In general, imports recorded a abrupt shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 53% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, natural rubber and gum imports fell notably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 71%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Thailand (X tons), Indonesia (X tons) and Malaysia (X tons) were the main suppliers of natural rubber and gum imports to the UK, together comprising 75% of total imports. Vietnam, Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon, China, Ghana and Nigeria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 21%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Cameroon (with a CAGR of +4.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Thailand ($X), Indonesia ($X) and Malaysia ($X) constituted the largest natural rubber and gum suppliers to the UK, with a combined 77% share of total imports. Vietnam, Cote d'Ivoire, China, Cameroon, Ghana and Nigeria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 17%.

Cameroon, with a CAGR of +0.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average natural rubber and gum import price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 2.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a perceptible contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 37%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for Ghana ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (-1.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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