Demand for gloves amid Covid-19 outbreak boosts Thai rubber exports

The Rubber Authority of Thailand on Tuesday (April 21) said that the Covid-19 pandemic has given Thai rubber exports a major boost from higher global demand for rubber gloves in the medical industry.

We have seen Thai rubber export growth increase, particularly rubber gloves and synthetic rubber, said acting governor of the Rubber Authority of Thailand Kajornsak Nuanpromsakul.Kajornsak also factored the rise in Thai rubber export to China's resumptions of manufacturing sector, as well as Malaysia's recent move to open its border for rubber trading.

Meanwhile, Thailand's Ministry of Commerce also reported that Thailand's exports of rubber products and processed rubber such as auto tyres, rubber gloves, resistance bands and rubber bands rose 10 per cent in the first two months of 2020, estimated at US$1.97.Key markets included the US, China, Japan, Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) countries and Australia, with auto tyres accounting for 51 per cent of the shipments, followed by synthetic rubber and rubber gloves at 19 per cent and 11 per cent respectively.