Thailand's Rubber Glove Exports Jump 16 Pct Due To Covid-19

BANGKOK, May 27 (Bernama) -- Thailand’s rubber glove exports surged by 16 per cent year-on-year for the January-April period this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Auramon Supthaweethum, director-general of Thailand’s Trade Negotiations Department under the Commerce Ministry said the pandemic boosted the country’s rubber exports, especially that of rubber gloves. “Global demand for protective gloves is soaring. In the first four months, rubber glove exports rose by 16 per cent to US$449.2 million (US$1=RM4.34) from the same period last year,” she said in a statement Wednesday. Last year, Thailand produced more than 20 billion rubber gloves -- 89 per cent or US$1.2 billion of which was for its export market. Thailand’s top 10 rubber glove export markets include the United States, with exports worth US$193.90 million, followed by the European Union (US$82.90 million), China (US$31 million), Japan (US$22.60 million) and ASEAN (US$18.30 million). -- BERNAMA