U.S. Unvulcanized Rubber Exports

In May 2023, unvulcanized rubber exports from the United States amounted to 26K tons, picking up by 14% compared with April 2023. In general, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern.

In value terms, unvulcanized rubber exports rose notably to $113M (IndexBox estimates) in May 2023. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in February 2023 when exports increased by 15% m-o-m.

Exports by Country

Mexico (8.9K tons), Canada (6.5K tons) and India (3.2K tons) were the main destinations of unvulcanized rubber exports from the United States, together comprising 72% of total exports. These countries were followed by Turkey, Thailand, Belgium, the Netherlands, China, the UK and Brazil, which together accounted for a further 20%.

From May 2022 to May 2023, the biggest increases were in Thailand (with a CAGR of +4.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Mexico ($41M), Canada ($34M) and the UK ($4.7M) were the largest markets for unvulcanized rubber exported from the United States worldwide, together comprising 70% of total exports. Belgium, China, the Netherlands, India, Brazil, Turkey and Thailand lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 15%.

Among the main countries of destination, Turkey, with a CAGR of +5.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports by Type

Compounded rubber, unvulcanized, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip (21K tons) was the largest type of unvulcanized rubber exported from the United States, with a 81% share of total exports. Moreover, compounded rubber, unvulcanized, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip exceeded the volume of the second product type, plates, sheets, strip, rods and profile shapes, of vulcanized rubber other than hard rubber (4.5K tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by rubber (317 tons), with a 1.2% share.

From May 2022 to May 2023, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of the volume of export of compounded rubber, unvulcanized, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip was relatively modest. With regard to the other exported products, the following average monthly rates of growth were recorded: plates, sheets, strip, rods and profile shapes, of vulcanized rubber other than hard rubber (-2.1% per month) and rubber (+6.0% per month).

In value terms, compounded rubber, unvulcanized, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip ($74M) remains the largest type of unvulcanized rubber exported from the United States, comprising 65% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by plates, sheets, strip, rods and profile shapes, of vulcanized rubber other than hard rubber ($32M), with a 28% share of total exports. It was followed by rubber, with a 6.4% share.

From May 2022 to May 2023, the average monthly growth rate of the export volume of compounded rubber, unvulcanized, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip was relatively modest. With regard to the other exported products, the following average monthly rates of growth were recorded: plates, sheets, strip, rods and profile shapes, of vulcanized rubber other than hard rubber (-1.2% per month) and rubber (+0.9% per month).

Export Prices by Country

In May 2023, the unvulcanized rubber price stood at $4,347 per ton (FOB, US), shrinking by -4.1% against the previous month. In general, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in April 2023 an increase of 8.6% m-o-m. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $4,531 per ton, and then contracted modestly in the following month.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination: the country with the highest price was the UK ($8,749 per ton), while the average price for exports to Thailand ($736 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From May 2022 to May 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the UK (+3.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform