Rubber cultivation in Malaysia. Photo credit: dreamstime.com
Rubber cultivation, Hevea brasiliensis or rubber plant, is the process of growing rubber trees to produce natural rubber. Tropical areas with climates conducive to these plants' growth are where this process is mostly carried out.
The trees are tapped to harvest latex after making cuts in the bark, and the milky substance begins to flow. Once the trees reach maturity after five to seven years, cultivation begins.
If the trees are healthy, latex harvesting is a regular occurrence that can continue for several decades. The Amazon Basin in South America, the islands of Sumatra and Borneo in Southeast Asia, and the west coast of Africa are examples of tropical forests where rubber trees flourish.
Malaysia's production of natural rubber increased by 20.1% month over month to 25,608 tons in May, according to the most recent official figures. In May 2024, production rose 20% month over month and 6% year over year, according to government data. With 39.2% of total exports, China remains the primary market for Malaysian rubber.
The Asian continent is the world's leading producer of natural rubber, with the highest export volume. Rubber plantations were established in Asia throughout the 19th century, and the first shipment was sent out for international trade in 1905.
The earliest rubber plantations were established by the British in Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Indonesia, and the Malay Peninsula. The Asian continent provides over 91% of the world's natural rubber production.
Africa generates more than 7.4 percent and is the second-largest continent. South and Central America rank third in importance for the production of natural rubber. Over 2 percent of the natural rubber produced worldwide comes from this area.
Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Vietnam, China, the Philippines, Nigeria, the Ivory Coast, and Sri Lanka are the top 10 nations in the world for natural rubber production. Liberia, Cameroon, Guatemala, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mexico, and Papua New Guinea are additional nations that produce on a modest scale. The production of natural rubber is crucial to the economies of Asia.
The rubber industry produces a wide range of products, including tires for automobiles, inner tubes, footwear, conveyor belts, cables and wires, battery packs, and various vehicle parts, such as drive belts and seals.
There are several different types of rubber, including sheets, briquettes, preserved latex, and crepes. The United States, Germany, India, and the United Arab Emirates are the top five countries in terms of rubber consumption.