China’s Disposable Gloves Export Report: Jan-Jul 2025 Trends & Market Insights

The first seven months of 2025 have brought notable shifts in China’s disposable gloves export landscape, with varying performance across product categories and regional markets. From vinyl gloves to nitrile and latex variants, demand patterns reflect evolving global needs in healthcare, manufacturing, and daily protection. This analysis breaks down key trends, highlighting market drivers and regional preferences that shape the industry.

Vinyl Gloves: North America Remains the Top Market Despite Mild Decline

Vinyl gloves, a staple in both medical and general use, saw mixed results in the first half of 2025. From January to July, total exports reached 50.25 billion units, marking a 9.4% year-on-year decrease. However, July alone showed signs of recovery, with exports reaching 8.23 billion units, up 19.8% from June and 0.2% compared to July 2024, suggesting a potential short-term rebound.

Regionally, North America dominates vinyl glove imports, accounting for 45.9% of total exports (23.05 billion units). This strong demand is driven by widespread use in healthcare facilities, food service, and household applications. Japan and South Korea follow with 16.4% (8.24 billion units), while Europe contributes 15.8% (7.92 billion units). The Middle East, Oceania, and South America make up smaller shares, at 12.6%, 3.0%, and 2.3% respectively.

 

At the country level, the U.S. leads as the top destination, importing 20.94 billion vinyl gloves—41.7% of China’s total vinyl exports. Japan ranks second with 16.3% (8.2 billion units), followed by Saudi Arabia (6.3%), the UK (3.6%), and Canada (3.5%). Notably, the UK moved up one spot in rankings, while Canada slipped by one, indicating subtle shifts in secondary markets.

 

Nitrile & Latex Gloves: Steady Growth Fueled by Medical-Grade Demand

In contrast to vinyl, nitrile and latex gloves showed resilience, with total exports reaching 64.72 billion units in January-July 2025—a 5.6% increase from the same period in 2024. July exports hit 9.91 billion units, up 13% from June, underscoring robust demand. These gloves, prized for their durability and chemical resistance, are split into two key segments: medical-grade and industrial-grade.

Medical-Grade Nitrile & Latex: Europe Takes the Lead

Medical-grade variants dominate the nitrile and latex category, comprising 71% of total exports (45.89 billion units). Europe is the primary market, importing 30.07 billion units—65.5% of global medical-grade exports. This high share reflects Europe’s stringent healthcare protocols and ongoing investment in infection control, particularly in countries like Germany, the UK, and Poland.

 

Germany stands out as the top importer, with 6.75 billion units (14.7% of global medical-grade exports), followed by the UK (4.01 billion units, 8.7%) and Poland (3.59 billion units, 7.8%). Other key markets include Italy (2.92 billion units), Spain (2.84 billion units), and Canada (2.81 billion units). Recent shifts saw Italy and Brazil climb one spot in rankings, while Spain and Russia dipped by one, signalling dynamic adjustments in European and Latin American demand. For more on medical-grade glove specifications, explore resources from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on medical device standards.

 

Industrial-Grade Nitrile & Latex: U.S. and Asian Markets Drive Activity

Industrial-grade nitrile and latex gloves, used in manufacturing, automotive, and chemical handling, accounted for 29% of total exports (18.83 billion units). The U.S. leads this segment, importing 3.13 billion units (16.6%), followed by Japan (2.56 billion units, 13.6%)—a testament to robust industrial activity in both nations.

 

Brazil (1.17 billion units, 6.2%), Russia (0.89 billion units, 4.7%), and Israel (0.85 billion units, 4.5%) are other significant markets. Notably, Russia and South Korea rose one spot in rankings, while Israel and Canada fell by one, highlighting shifting industrial needs across emerging and established economies.

 

Innovations in industrial glove materials, such as synthetic latex options, have expanded the application scope. Products like Syntex Synthetic Latex Gloves offer enhanced durability and comfort, catering to diverse industrial requirements

Key Takeaways: Market Trends Shaping the Industry

The 2025 data reveals three critical trends: first, a divergence between vinyl and nitrile/latex performance, with the latter benefiting from growing preference for high-performance materials; second, regional concentration, with North America anchoring vinyl demand and Europe leading in medical-grade nitrile/latex; and third, stable dominance of top importers, with the U.S., Germany, and Japan remaining pivotal to export volumes.

 

These trends underscore the importance of adaptability in meeting global needs—from healthcare’s strict safety standards to industry’s demand for resilience. As the sector evolves, manufacturers are focusing on sustainable production and material innovation to align with global environmental goals and regulatory changes.

 

In the competitive landscape of disposable gloves, INTCO Medical stands out as a key player, renowned as the largest latex-free disposable gloves manufacturer. With a comprehensive portfolio spanning vinyl, nitrile, and synthetic latex products, INTCO Medical caters to diverse markets, from North America to Europe and Asia. As global demand continues to evolve, INTCO remains committed to delivering reliable, high-quality solutions for healthcare and industry worldwide.