China's PVC Glove Industry Development: New Trends in Export Diversification

Introduction:As the world's largest producer and supplier of PVC gloves, China occupies about 80% of the international market share. The Chinese PVC glove industry is at a critical juncture: on one hand, the global demand structure has undergone profound changes in the post-pandemic era; on the other hand, the intertwined challenges of the international trade environment, cost pressures, and the need for industrial upgrades are testing the adaptability of Chinese manufacturers.

1. Analysis of PVC Gloves Export Trends

In terms of export volume, both years exhibit significant seasonal fluctuations. The export volume in the first quarter of each year is at its lowest due to the impact of the traditional Chinese New Year holiday, during which factory operating rates decrease, and production and shipping slow down. Starting from the second quarter, export volume begins to steadily climb, reaching its peak in August and September. This is mainly because overseas customers stock up in advance to prepare for traditional consumer peak seasons like Western Halloween and Christmas in the latter half of the year. The entire fourth quarter maintains a relatively high export volume. In the second quarter of 2025, the tariff policy had a significant impact, with PVC glove export orders dropping by 5.22 million boxes from January to July, a year-on-year decrease of about 9.4%. The increase in tariffs directly added to the end-cost of products, weakening the price competitiveness of Chinese gloves. Some purchasers, to mitigate risks, shifted their orders to suppliers in regions such as Southeast Asia where tariffs are lower, leading to a short-term loss of orders. At the same time, the uncertainty of tariff policies also disrupted the purchasing rhythm of downstream customers, with many buyers turning cautious and delaying bulk orders, further exacerbating the contraction of export volume.

The export average price of PVC gloves has shown a steady downward trend, with the export average price projected to be $9.5 per box in 2025, down from $11.5 per box in 2024, a decline of 17.4%. The price decline is influenced by multiple factors. Firstly, the global supply and demand relationship has shifted; during the pandemic, domestic PVC glove production capacity continued to be released, particularly with new capacities coming online in Southeast Asia over the past two years, intensifying market competition. Secondly, major importing countries like the United States are experiencing high inventory levels, which has strengthened the bargaining power of buyers and made them more willing to push for lower prices. Additionally, adjustments to tariff policies have forced domestic export companies to offer discounts in order to maintain order volumes. Furthermore, the decline in raw material costs, such as plasticizers and PVC resin, has also provided some room for price reductions of end products.

In the foreseeable future, the average export price of Chinese PVC gloves is expected to remain under pressure. Enterprises need to actively respond to the new global market trend of trading price for volume by improving production efficiency, optimizing supply chain layout, and strengthening the development of high value-added products.

2. Analysis of Countries Exporting PVC Gloves

North America and Europe have traditionally been the largest export markets for Chinese PVC gloves, accounting for more than 60% of the total exports. This market concentration is due to the highly developed healthcare systems, strict labor protection regulations, and mature food safety standards in these regions, which lead to China's... PVC There is a certain amount of import demand for gloves.

Figure 2 Proportion of Export Destinations for PVC Gloves in 2024	Figure 3 Proportion of PVC Glove Export by Country/Region in 2025
Source: General Administration of Customs, Longzhong Information	Data source: General Administration of Customs, Longzhong Information

From 2024 to 2025, the United States remained the largest destination for China's PVC glove exports. Due to the impact of China-U.S. relations in the second quarter of 2025, the export share slightly declined by 5%. Despite some fluctuations, the U.S. continued to hold an absolutely dominant position. During this trade friction, Japan's order volume increased by 2%. Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other countries consistently remained major export markets over the two years, reflecting a sustained and stable demand for Chinese-manufactured PVC gloves in these regions.

Traditional markets such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and France still hold a high overall share, indicating a strong demand for protective products in mature markets. At the same time, countries in the Middle East such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as resource-rich economies like Brazil and Australia, continue to appear on the list, indicating that emerging markets and developing regions are gradually expanding their import scale. The global market coverage of Chinese PVC gloves is becoming increasingly diversified.

Although there have been no drastic changes in the country-wise share structure over the two years, subtle adjustments in market shares may reflect shifts in the competitive landscape of international market demand. Overall, the pattern of China's PVC glove export market demonstrates strong stability, with continued robust demand from mainstream countries, indicating that China's supply chain advantages and export competitiveness in PVC gloves persist. It is expected that in the foreseeable future, the development trend will remain centered on Europe and the Americas, alongside a diversified multi-market approach.

3. Opportunities and Challenges Intertwine, the Trend of Market Diversification Develops

Overall, the Chinese PVC glove export market in 2024-2025 is characterized by a decrease in export volume and pressure on export prices. This reflects that the industry, while consolidating its leading position in the global supply chain, is actively responding to multiple challenges such as costs, trade, and competition. With the global increase in health protection awareness and the strengthening of sustainable development requirements, the PVC glove industry will gradually shift from scale expansion to value enhancement. The main development focus will be on the intelligentization of production processes and innovation in high value-added products. In the future, enterprises need to achieve breakthroughs in degradable technology, low-carbon production systems, and international brand building. By establishing a new development pattern driven by technology and diversified markets, they will continue to strengthen China's core competitiveness and risk resistance in the global protective equipment field.