HS Code:
The category of Balata, gutta-percha, guayule, chicle, and similar natural gums (HS Code: 4001.30) includes raw natural gums and resins derived from specific trees and plants. These materials are primarily used in the production of chewing gum, adhesives, and certain industrial applications. Balata and gutta-percha are known for their use in manufacturing belts and insulation, while chicle is a key ingredient in traditional chewing gum. Guayule, a shrub native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, serves as an alternative source of natural rubber. This category represents a niche but historically significant segment of global trade, often tied to specific geographic regions with suitable climates for cultivation.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately $50 million USD
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database, International Trade Centre (ITC)
$15 million USD
30% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$10 million USD
20% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$8 million USD
16% of total trade of total trade
Decreasing
$5 million USD
10% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$4 million USD
8% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
Average Rate
5.2%
Highest Rate
12% (applied by certain developing countries to protect domestic industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements such as USMCA and ASEAN)
Shift towards sustainable sourcing
Increased demand for certified sustainable gums due to environmental concerns, pushing producers to adopt eco-friendly harvesting practices.
2021-2023
Decline in traditional chicle use
Substitution with synthetic alternatives in chewing gum production has reduced demand for natural chicle, affecting exporters like Mexico.
2019-2022
Rising interest in guayule as a rubber alternative
Growing research and investment in guayule-based products in the U.S. due to its hypoallergenic properties and domestic availability.
2020-2023
The Mexican government launched a program to support sustainable chicle harvesting in the Yucatan Peninsula, providing subsidies to local farmers and enforcing stricter environmental standards.
March 2023
Expected to stabilize export volumes while improving long-term forest conservation.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture partnered with private companies to fund research into guayule as a domestic source of natural rubber, aiming to reduce reliance on imported materials.
June 2022
Likely to increase U.S. production and trade volume in the coming years.
Indonesian authorities announced plans to expand cultivation areas for gutta-percha trees, targeting increased exports to meet industrial demand in Asia and Europe.
September 2023
Could position Indonesia as the leading exporter in this category by 2025.