Rubber

Natural rubber is the leading biosourced elastomer. It accounts for 48% of the global elastomer market. It is mostly (80%) produced by family farms of between 0.5 and 10 hectares, mainly in Asia. CIRAD is working to improve smallholder rubber growing, particularly by adapting it to climate change, and helping players in the value chain produce more while preserving the environment.

The figures for rubber

48% of global elastomer production
80% of natural rubber production is produced by millions of smallholders.
87% of production is in Asia, but the share of African natural rubber is growing.
12 million hectares cultivated.
14 million tonnes of natural rubber produced per year.
75% of the natural rubber produced is used by the tyre industry.

The issues

Preserving rubber growing, which is vital for millions of smallholders
Tackling the challenges of competition with synthetic rubbers and dependence on a niche market
Promoting the capacity of plantings to recycle atmospheric carbon.