The world's natural rubber production in 2020 was about 13 million tons. Thailand was the largest producer with 4.5 million tons, followed by Indonesia with 3 million tons and Vietnam with 1.2 million tons. India and China each produced 0.7 million tons, while Ivory Coast produced 0.9 million tons and Malaysia produced 0.5 million tons. The production values for Philippines, Brazil and Cambodia were not available. In 2021, the production values for most countries increased slightly, except for Philippines, Brazil and Cambodia which remained unknown.
Major environmental issues faced by rubber producing countries
Some of the major environmental issues faced by rubber producing countries are:
- Deforestation: Growing natural rubber is a leading cause of deforestation in mainland South Asia and Southeast Asia. Rubber plantations often replace natural forests that are rich in biodiversity and carbon storage.
- Biodiversity loss: Rubber plantations threaten the habitats of many endangered species such as elephants, tigers, gibbons and hornbills. Rubber plantations also reduce the diversity of plants and animals in the landscape.
- Climate change: Deforestation of natural forests for rubber plantations reduces the carbon sequestration potential and increases the carbon dioxide emissions from land use change. Rubber plantations also emit greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide and methane from fertilizer use and wastewater treatment.
- Pollution: Rubber production generates large amounts of wastewater that contains organic matter, suspended solids, nitrogen, phosphorus and other pollutants. These pollutants can cause odors, eutrophication and water quality degradation in rivers and lakes. Rubber production also uses pesticides and herbicides that can contaminate the soil and water resources.
- Human and labor rights violations: Rubber production often involves land grabbing from indigenous communities, forced labor, child labor, low wages and poor working conditions. Rubber production also exposes workers to health risks from exposure to chemicals and latex allergies.