IRSG Releases Global Rubber Supply and Demand Forecast, Natural Rubber Shortage to Reach 779,000 Tons by 2032

Lead

On January 22, 2026, the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) issued a global rubber supply and demand forecast report. According to the data, global rubber demand will maintain steady growth from 2025 to 2032, and the natural rubber market will remain in a state of structural supply shortage. The global natural rubber supply deficit stood at 488,000 tons in 2025 and is expected to expand to 779,000 tons by 2032. The development of the automobile and tire industry is the core driver of global rubber demand growth.

1. Global Rubber Demand Maintains Steady Growth, Total Demand to Reach 36.57 Million Tons in 2032

Driven by the growth of vehicle ownership and tire production, global rubber demand is expected to rise by more than 12% by 2032. IRSG statistics show that the total global rubber demand reached 32.49 million tons in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 2.1%, and will rise to 36.57 million tons in 2032.

Natural rubber demand grows synchronously. The global natural rubber consumption hit 15.73 million tons in 2025, up 2% year-on-year, and will reach 17.88 million tons in 2032.

The growth rate of synthetic rubber demand is lower than that of natural rubber. Global synthetic rubber consumption was 16.77 million tons in 2025, and will increase to 18.69 million tons in 2032.

2. Tight Natural Rubber Supply Situation, Supply-Demand Gap Continues Widening in 2032

The growth pace of global natural rubber output lags behind demand growth, resulting in long-term structural tightness in the natural rubber market. IRSG forecasts that global natural rubber output was 15.24 million tons in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 3.5%, and will rise to 17.10 million tons by 2032.

The natural rubber supply-demand balance shows a trend of first narrowing and then expanding. The global natural rubber deficit was 488,000 tons in 2025, narrowing from 689,000 tons in 2024; the gap will expand to 779,000 tons by 2032.

3. Mild Growth in Global Tire Output, External Factors Affect Industrial Development Prospect

Global tire output maintains slow and stable growth, with a year-on-year increase of 0.24% in 2025 and an average annual growth rate of 1.46% prior to 2032.

Complex global market environment restricts industrial operation. Geopolitical conflicts, high debt levels and climate disturbances continue to slow global economic growth, making the development outlook of the automobile and tire industry relatively cautious.

Conclusion

As an authoritative research institution in the global rubber industry, the supply and demand data released by IRSG provides important reference basis for upstream and downstream enterprises in the rubber industrial chain. The tight supply pattern of natural rubber will continue in the future. The industry shall continuously pay attention to production capacity expansion on the supply side and changes in the global macroeconomic environment.