Rubber glove exports expand to all-time high
Up 19.4pc to RM15.9b last year on synchronised recovery in global growth and demand, says minister
MALAYSIA’S rubber glove exports hit an all-time high last year, growing at a robust pace of 19.4 per cent to RM15.9 billion from RM13.3 billion in 2016.
The exports had benefited from the synchronised recovery in global growth and demand, said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong.
He said Malaysia is currently the world’s largest supplier of rubber gloves, contributing more than 60 per cent to the global market volume.
China is one of the fastest growing markets with export value reaching RM906.9 million last year from RM362.2 million in 2016, an incredible increase of 250 per cent.
Other key developed markets like Germany and Japan also reported a strong jump in their imports of Malaysian rubber gloves to RM1.26 billion and RM1.1 billion, respectively, from RM1.08 billion and RM820 million in 2016.
On the other hand, the United States remains Malaysia’s largest market for rubber gloves with growth of 24 per cent, reaching RM5.6 billion from RM4.53 billion in 2016.
Mah said given the strong export performance last year, Malaysia is expected to continue dominating the world market for rubber gloves, especially medical gloves for use in the healthcare sector. He said the industry is confident of securing at least 65 per cent of global rubber gloves exports in 2020.
Last year, global exports of rubber gloves were estimated at 228 billion pieces. They are projected to reach 287 billion pieces by 2020.
“In this regard, the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry, through Malaysian Rubber Export Promotion Council, will continue to vigorously undertake marketing efforts to increase an awareness on glove usage and promote high-quality gloves from Malaysia,” he said.
Mah said other potential growing markets for rubber gloves that the ministry is currently targeting at are Asean countries, particularly the Philippines and Myanmar.