Malaysia’s rubber-based product exports are expected to produce around RM18.5 billion of earnings this year, driven by higher usage of disposal medical gloves, according to the country’s Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong.
The ministry will continue to encourage the production of more high value-added items, particularly downstream products such as disposal rubber gloves, he said.
Mah said from January to June this year, Malaysia’s export of rubber-based products rose 4.2% to RM8.82 billion with the US, European Union and Japan accounting for 60% of Malaysia’s total rubber exports.
Last year, revenue from rubber-based products increased to RM18 billion with rubber gloves, being the main export item, accounting for RM13.1 billion.
Malaysia, known for its high-quality rubber products, is the world’s leading producer of rubber gloves and garnered 56% of the global market share.