Global Glove Manufacturing Faces Raw Material Shortages and Price Hikes

While hospitals currently maintain buffer inventories, persistent disruptions may lead to supply shortages and increased costs for gloves.

Daniel Beaird

April 23, 2026

Key Highlights

Malaysia, responsible for nearly half of global glove production, is at the center of these supply issues.
Manufacturers may increase prices or cut output if raw material costs continue to rise, potentially impacting healthcare budgets.
Even modest price increases can significantly affect non-labor healthcare expenses given the high volume of glove usage.

Reuters has reported that synthetic rubber glove prices have risen roughly 40% as conflict-driven supply chain disruptions tighten availability of key raw materials, including naphtha and nitrile latex. Those materials are critical to the production of nitrile examination gloves widely used across hospitals and healthcare settings.

Malaysia, which accounts for nearly half of global glove manufacturing capacity, is at the center of the issue. Leading producers have indicated they may implement additional price increases or reduce output if raw material inflation continues.

Hospitals are not yet facing a crisis, as many organizations continue to hold buffer inventories built up after the pandemic. However, analysts cautioned that if disruptions persist, supply conditions could tighten by late May.

Because gloves are a high volume, everyday clinical necessity, even modest price increases can significantly impact non-labor expense budgets when spread across millions of units purchased each year.