KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Côte d'Ivoire, often referred to as Côte d'Ivoire, is now the third-largest producer of natural rubber, surpassing Vietnam.
In 2023, the West African country's NR production increased by more than 16% year-on-year, with just under 1.5 million metric tons, according to the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries.
Thailand maintained its lead with 4.87 million tonnes of production, followed by Indonesia with 3.2 million tonnes, ANRPC data showed. Vietnam's rubber production fell one place to fourth place, with an annual output of 1.39 million tons.
Overall, global NR production grew 6 percent year-on-year last year, despite declines in China, Malaysia and the Philippines5% to 15140,000 tons.
In its December NR review, the ANRPC said the increase was mainly due to Indonesia downgrading its 2022 production by 133% to 2.71 million tons.
Overall, the association said 2023 poses a "significant challenge" to the NR industry, particularly the upstream sector.
"Unfavourable climatic conditions and the emergence of a new defoliation disease have adversely affected the production of NR," the report said. ”。
The ANRPC said a "valid diagnosis" of the new disease remains "elusive", adding to the industry's difficulties, especially against the backdrop of the continued downturn in rubber**.
The association said global events had "further exacerbated" economic pressures on farmers' livelihoods, including "ongoing geopolitical conflicts, hawkish Fed policy and the upcoming EU deforestation-free regulation".