North Sumatra’s natural rubber exports in May 2025 reached 22,896 tons, marking a 10.08% increase compared to April’s 20,799 tons, according to Gapkindo Sumut. Year-on-year, exports also surged by 46.56% from May 2024’s 15,620 tons. While this growth is encouraging, it still falls short of the pre-pandemic monthly average of 42,000 tons. The rise in May was largely attributed to shifting market opportunities rather than structural recovery in production. Exporters previously delayed shipments to the U.S. due to tariff uncertainty under the proposed "Trump Tariffs." However, after the U.S. government postponed tariff implementation for 90 days, shipments rebounded in May, especially to the American market.

Despite the growth, global demand remains under pressure due to weakening manufacturing activity, particularly in the automotive tire sector—natural rubber's primary consumer. Notably, China, the world’s largest rubber importer, dropped out of North Sumatra’s top five export destinations. In contrast, the UAE entered the top five with a 5.28% share, driven by the Indonesia–UAE CEPA agreement and growing demand from its manufacturing and automotive sectors. Other top markets included Japan (26.63%), the U.S. (18.24%), Brazil (17.52%), and India (7.48%). Exports to Europe also rose, contributing 12.75% of total shipments across 14 countries. This increasing interest highlights potential in the European market, although exporters must prepare for the EU’s upcoming deforestation-free regulation effective December 30, 2025. Overall, the trends signal promising export prospects, while also emphasizing the need for strategic adaptation in the face of global challenges.

Source:
https://sumut.antaranews.com/berita/628613/ekspor-karet-sumut-pada-mei-2025-capai-22896-ton