Surgical Glove Market

The global market for surgical gloves is projected to grow steadily over the next eight years, with an expected increase in both volume and value. The article provides a detailed analysis of consumption, production, imports, exports, and key countries in the market. Key findings include fluctuations in consumption volumes, peak years of production, and trends in import and export prices. The data highlights major producing and importing countries, as well as notable growth rates in various market segments. Overall, the article offers comprehensive insights into the dynamics of the global surgical glove market.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for surgical gloves worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 115B pairs by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $13.9B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Surgical Gloves

After two years of growth, consumption of surgical gloves decreased by -8.9% to 97B pairs in 2022. Overall, the total consumption indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked at 106B pairs in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

The global surgical glove market revenue shrank modestly to $9.9B in 2022, declining by -2.7% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption, however, showed a strong increase. Over the period under review, the global market reached the maximum level at $10.2B in 2021, and then fell slightly in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (21B pairs), the United States (13B pairs) and India (8.5B pairs), with a combined 43% share of global consumption. Germany, Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, the UK, the Netherlands, Thailand, Vietnam and France lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +13.3%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($2.9B), China ($1.6B) and Germany ($718M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, together comprising 53% of the global market. India, the UK, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, France, the Netherlands, Thailand and Vietnam lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 25%.

The UK, with a CAGR of +16.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of surgical glove per capita consumption in 2022 were the Netherlands (105 pairs per person), Germany (90 pairs per person) and Turkey (48 pairs per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +12.8%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Surgical Gloves

In 2022, the amount of surgical gloves produced worldwide amounted to 78B pairs, increasing by 2.3% on 2021. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 16%. Global production peaked at 80B pairs in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, surgical glove production expanded notably to $8B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a prominent increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 52%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $8.7B. From 2021 to 2022, global production growth remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of surgical glove production was China (25B pairs), accounting for 32% of total volume. Moreover, surgical glove production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (12B pairs), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by India (8.5B pairs), with an 11% share.

In China, surgical glove production expanded at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: the United States (+11.1% per year) and India (+0.6% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Surgical Gloves

In 2022, overseas purchases of surgical gloves decreased by -23% to 44B pairs for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 14% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at 57B pairs in 2021, and then dropped sharply in the following year.

In value terms, surgical glove imports dropped markedly to $5B in 2022. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 80% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports attained the peak figure at $6.2B in 2021, and then fell sharply in the following year.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Germany (10B pairs), distantly followed by Turkey (4.2B pairs), the Netherlands (3.7B pairs) and the UK (3.2B pairs) represented the largest importers of surgical gloves, together generating 49% of total imports. Austria (1.6B pairs), France (1.4B pairs), Spain (1.3B pairs), the United States (1.2B pairs), Denmark (1.1B pairs), Poland (1B pairs), Italy (0.8B pairs) and Sweden (0.7B pairs) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Germany increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Denmark (+27.0%), the Netherlands (+16.7%), Poland (+14.5%), Sweden (+14.1%), Spain (+12.5%), Austria (+12.4%), the UK (+9.6%), Turkey (+7.9%), Italy (+5.7%) and France (+4.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Denmark emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +27.0% from 2012-2022. By contrast, the United States (-14.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the Netherlands (+5.8 p.p.), Germany (+4.9 p.p.), the UK (+3 p.p.), Turkey (+2.9 p.p.), Denmark (+2.2 p.p.), Austria (+2 p.p.) and Spain (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global imports from 2012-2022, the share of the United States (-15.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Germany ($1.1B) constitutes the largest market for imported surgical gloves worldwide, comprising 23% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the UK ($516M), with a 10% share of global imports. It was followed by the United States, with an 8.7% share.

In Germany, surgical glove imports increased at an average annual rate of +13.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the UK (+18.9% per year) and the United States (+2.7% per year).

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average surgical glove import price amounted to $0.1 per pair, growing by 4.6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded resilient growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the average import price increased by 58% against the previous year. Global import price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($0.4 per pair), while Turkey ($0.1 per pair) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+19.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Surgical Gloves

In 2022, overseas shipments of surgical gloves decreased by -7.2% to 25B pairs, falling for the second year in a row after five years of growth. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 14%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure at 29B pairs in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, surgical glove exports declined to $2.6B in 2022. Overall, exports, however, posted a prominent expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 57% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure at $2.9B in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Exports By Country

The shipments of the four major exporters of surgical gloves, namely Malaysia, Thailand, China and Germany, represented more than two-thirds of total export. It was distantly followed by the Netherlands (1.9B pairs), comprising a 7.5% share of total exports. Sri Lanka (899M pairs), Turkey (599M pairs), Vietnam (514M pairs), Austria (423M pairs) and Belgium (391M pairs) held a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Vietnam (with a CAGR of +25.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest surgical glove supplying countries worldwide were China ($449M), Malaysia ($446M) and Germany ($398M), together accounting for 49% of global exports. The Netherlands, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Belgium, Austria, Turkey and Vietnam lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 36%.

Vietnam, with a CAGR of +30.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average surgical glove export price stood at $0.1 per pair in 2022, reducing by -3.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a measured increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 48%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $0.1 per pair in 2021, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($0.2 per pair), while Thailand ($0.1 per pair) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+13.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform