Vietnam and Thailand are currently among the world’s leading rubber exporting countries, playing a significant role in the supply chain of raw materials for the tire, glove, and industrial product manufacturing industries.
Thailand has consistently held the top position in natural rubber exports for many years, with production typically accounting for over 30% of the global market share, concentrated in major markets such as China, Japan, the United States, and Europe.
Vietnam ranks third in the world, behind only Thailand and Indonesia, with strengths in processed rubber latex and compound rubber, primarily exporting to China, India, and South Korea. While Thailand maintains its advantage due to its large planting area, stable production, and modern processing systems, Vietnam stands out for its ability to diversify products and expand markets through free trade agreements.
In addition to domestic supply, Vietnam spends a large amount of money annually to import rubber for exports. According to Customs, in September 2025, the country imported 146,000 tons of rubber, equivalent to over 233 million USD. This is a decrease of 13.1% in volume and 8.4% in value compared to August 2025. The average import price in September 2025 was USD 1,588.5 per ton, an increase of 5.4% compared to August.
Vietnam ranks third in the world for rubber exports.
In 9 months of the year, rubber imports reached 1.33 million tons, equivalent to nearly 2.19 billion USD. This is an increase of 2.9% in volume and 10.8% in value compared to the first 9 months of 2024. The average price for the entire 9 months was 1,648.8 USD/ton, an increase of 7.7%.
Regarding the market, Vietnam mainly imports rubber from Cambodia, accounting for over 511,000 tons, worth 682 million USD. This represents a 9.3% decrease in volume but a 0.3% increase in value compared to the same period last year. The average import price reached 1,333 USD/ton, an increase of 10.6% compared to 9 months of 2024.
China ranks second with over 203,000 tons, worth 352 million USD. This figure is a 43.4% increase in volume and a 26.7% increase in value compared to the same period last year. The average price was 1,732.1 USD/ton, a decrease of 12% compared to the same period last year.
South Korea is Vietnam’s third-largest supplier, with over 141,000 tons, valued at over 235 million USD. This is a 6% increase in volume and a 3% increase in value. The average price decreased by 3%, equivalent to USD 1,666 per ton.
Currently, the import tax rate for natural rubber ranges from 5% to 10%, depending on the product type and origin of the shipment.
Regarding the outlook for rubber consumption, experts believe this commodity will remain under pressure due to declining demand in China and slow economic recovery.
The market is still unstable due to fluctuations in China and the impact of import tax policies between major economies.
Experts predict that in the short term, unfavorable weather and supply disruptions could continue to support high rubber prices. However, in the long term, it depends on demand from the automotive industry and the Asian economy.