Latin America, Middle East & Africa to Lead Next Wave of TBR Tyre Demand, Says New Industry Report

June 2025 – Global production of truck-and-bus radial (TBR) tyres is projected to rise 5 % annually through 2030, but the headline growth will come from Latin America, the Middle East and Africa as freight corridors, mining haul roads and government bus-fleet renewals accelerate, according to data released this week by TyreInsight Research.

Brazil alone will add 480 000 new trucks and buses over the next five years under the federal “BR-Log” highway-concession programme, pushing annual TBR replacement volume past 7 million units by 2028—up 34 % from 2024. Argentina’s Vaca Muerta shale fields and Chile’s copper belt are also extending tyre life cycles: 24-inch deep-tread patterns now account for 42 % of regional imports, compared with 29 % in 2020.

Across the Atlantic, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states are preparing for a 40 % increase in land-bridge freight between UAE ports and Saudi Arabia’s NEOM megaproject. The route will require an estimated 1.6 million additional TBR fitments during 2025-2029, with retreadable 315/80R22.5 sizes already on 12-week back order in Jebel Ali Free Zone.

Africa’s momentum is equally visible. Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery and Angola’s Lobito corridor are boosting 6×4 tipper fleets, while Trans-Africa Highway upgrades in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda have lifted regional TBR imports by 26 % year-on-year. Local distributors report that Chinese-brand premium drive-axle tyres—priced 18-22 % below European labels—are capturing share in the 385/65R22.5 super-single segment.

“Fleet operators outside the traditional U.S./EU markets are prioritising two things: purchase price and casing value for retreading,” said Laura Chen, senior analyst at TyreInsight. “A pattern that delivers 350 000 km original life and two retreads is now the sweet spot, and manufacturers offering regional warranties of 60 months are winning tenders.”

Raw-material volatility remains a concern. Natural-rubber prices have rebounded 21 % since January, prompting several Asian makers to open mixing plants in Mexico and South Africa to shorten supply chains and qualify for duty-free access under the AfCFTA and USMCA frameworks. Lead times from Asia to Santos or Durban have already fallen from 55 to 38 days.

Environmental regulations are also emerging outside the West. Brazil’s CONPET label will mandate minimum rolling-resistance thresholds for bus tyres in 2026, while Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Energy Efficiency Center (SEEC) is piloting a fuel-credit scheme for low-RRV patterns. Early movers such as Giti, Apollo and Triangle are certifying SmartWay-verified products at regional price points, gaining double-digit growth despite flat global volumes.

Bottom line: for exporters focused on Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, 2025-2027 presents a rare demand upswing, favourable tariffs and a clear shift toward retreadable, fuel-saving TBR tyres. Securing regional distributors, local retread partners and timely certification will determine who profits from the fastest-growing replacement cycle of the decade.