An Investigation of China’s Import Demand for Technically Specified Natural Rubber (TSR) from Thailand

Approximately 90 percent of rubbers produced in Thailand are for exporting and the major importer is China, which is accounted for 56.60 percent of exported rubbers from Thailand. A substantial exported rubber is in the form of Technically Specified Natural Rubber (TSR) or block rubbers to produce tires. This article aims to analyze China’s import demand for TSR from Thailand and other countries including Japan and South Korea. The investigation found that Chinese consumers’ behavior has considered TSR as normal goods. Furthermore, information from trading partners and this comparative study would be beneficial to stakeholders to implement policies when Chinese importing circumstance has been changed.