The current state of the disposable glove market is defined by several factors that have become common over the last few years.
On the surface, the market appears to be in good shape. Acute glove shortages are behind us, pricing has returned to favorable levels, the supply chain has seen many broken links repaired, and there is no longer a sense of emergency weighing heavily on the entire glove trade.
That said, several nuances have played diverse roles in dictating the market’s course since 2020 and remain in place today.
Manufacturers in Southeast Asia, who could not produce gloves quickly enough four years ago, have more recently faced a different obstacle: excess inventory has sent factory utilization rates below 50% capacity. It likely will take well into 2025 for factories to achieve consistent profitability.
Several challenges are ongoing: labor shortages, rising raw materials cost, energy prices, and operational obstacles. Add logistics, from local transport to ocean shipping to last-mile delivery, Then add increased competition—especially from China—and the disposable glove market continues to be relatively unpredictable.
Uncertainties about China’s long-term role in the disposable glove market have to do with potential trade tariffs. In the short term, Chinese manufacturers appear to be focused on growing their market share.
Overall, the demand in the U.S. disposable glove market is strong. There continues to be a heightened awareness regarding health, hygiene, and safety. People continue to use more disposable gloves in the post-pandemic world.
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