: Currently the world’s largest producer and exporter, supplying approximately 90% of the global market. Most production is centered in the Kalimantan region on Borneo island.
Under recent Ministry of Trade regulations (No. 20/2024 and No. 21/2025), Indonesia has implemented a "Lab-to-Port" transparency model:
: Historically restricted since 1943, Thailand fully legalized the cultivation, use, and trade of kratom in 2021. It is now the second-largest legal exporter.
Kratom is a tropical evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia, specifically thriving in , Thailand , and Malaysia .
The Global Trade of Kratom: Sourcing from Southeast Asia The following paper outlines the logistics, legal frameworks, and ethical considerations surrounding the international purchase and export of kratom ( Mitragyna speciosa ) from its native regions in Southeast Asia to global markets, specifically the United States. 1. Geographic Origin and Production Hubs
: While kratom grows naturally and is used traditionally (known locally as ketum ), commercial export remains largely banned, with limited exceptions for research purposes. 2. Regulatory Frameworks for Export