In 2021, latex goods contributed 91.8% to the total rubber products exports with rubber gloves contributing 88.9% of the total rubber product exports valued at RM54.8 billon, a surge of 55.4% from RM35.3 billion in the same period in 2020, it said in a statement.
This was followed by industrial rubber goods (IRG), which was 40.7% higher at RM1.3 billion compared with RM900 million in the same period in 2020.
Export of tyres also rose 30.7% to RM1.7 billion compared with RM1.3 billion in 2020, while that of footwear and general rubber goods increased 19.6% and 13% respectively.
Other latex (non-glove) products indicated lower growth of 7.3% as strong expansion in latex thread (47.4%) was offset by contractions in catheters, condoms and foam products.
The US, Europe and Japan dominated the consumption market for rubber products, accounting for about 50% of exports.
Last year, the US imported RM22.8 billion worth of Malaysian rubber products, an increase of 76.5%, followed by Germany at RM3.79 billion (up 57.9%), Japan at RM3.2 billion (up 40.5%), Netherlands at RM1.76 billion (up 57%), and Italy at RM1.2 billion (up 42.2%) against 2020.
Imports from Canada recorded an increase of 70.1% while Brazil imported 52.8% more.
MRC chief executive officer Nor Hizwan Ahmad said demand was largely driven by the global annual consumption of medical examination and surgical gloves from the healthcare industry, as well as greater demand of cleanroom gloves from the manufacturing industry.
“We will also seek new markets in countries and regions such as India, Africa, and Latin America because of their bigger populations and promising commercial prospects,” he said.
During the Arab Health Exhibition, held from Jan 4-27, 2022, in Dubai, MRC facilitated 98 business matches with prospective buyers, fetching total sales of RM110.5 million.
Meanwhile, Nor Hizwan said MRC is also looking into new ventures based on market demand, for example, engineered rubber products (ERP), including seismic bearings that could be promoted to countries affected by earthquake such as Indonesia, Turkey and Egypt.
He said retreading materials and rubber automotive components could also be promoted to countries where the automotive industry is growing such as Vietnam and Brazil.
Pakistan is also another potential market as the country’s healthcare industry is showing growth, hence, an opportunity for Malaysia to further promote rubber medical devices such as medical gloves and foley catheters.
“We must be vigilant of the market trend and needs and be ready to embrace change, especially through innovation and adoption of advanced technology.
“With the government support and industry players’ commitment, we will ensure that issues and challenges within the rubber industry are addressed and a wider range of ‘Made in Malaysia’ rubber products are known to the rest of the world,” he added.