Definition
The natural range of Mitragyna speciosa covers the tropical lowlands of Southeast Asia in the belt between 10° north and 5° south latitude. The tree occurs here both wild and in a semi-cultivated form on village plots and on commercial plantations. Commercial leaf production today is overwhelmingly concentrated in Indonesia.
Main regions
Indonesia
The dominant kratom producer in the world (an estimated 70-90 % of global production). Key regions:
- Borneo (West Kalimantan, East Kalimantan provinces) - the most important production region;
- Sumatra (Aceh, North Sumatra) - historically the second most important region;
- Java - mainly in semi-cultivated stands, smaller production.
Indonesian law so far (as of 2026) permits the collection and export of kratom, albeit under the regulation of the Ministry of Agriculture. More in the article Indonesia as the world's kratom supplier.
Malaysia
The tree occurs naturally on the Malay Peninsula and in the Malaysian part of Borneo (Sabah, Sarawak). However, cultivation and collection are locally regulated - Malaysia has placed kratom (locally known as ketum) on the list of controlled substances under the Poisons Act 1952.
Thailand
The tree is native to the southern provinces of Thailand (Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla). After decades of prohibition (1943-2021), kratom was legalised in Thailand in 2021, and cultivation is returning to the traditional regions.
Myanmar and others
The tree also occurs in southern Myanmar, in the Philippines (the island of Mindanao) and in the fringe areas of Papua New Guinea, where, however, there is no commercial production.
Climatic and soil requirements
Decisive for both natural occurrence and commercial production are:
- a mean annual temperature of 24-28 °C,
- annual rainfall above 1500 mm,
- air humidity consistently above 70 %,
- deep, permeable, slightly acidic soils (pH 5.5-6.5),
- an altitude of 0-800 m.
This combination is limited to the equatorial tropics with a monsoon climate. Outside this belt, the tree survives only in the protection of greenhouses.
Production map
As of 2025, commercial leaf production is concentrated in the following approximate structure:
- Indonesia - 75-85 % of global production (especially West Kalimantan, Aceh);
- Malaysia - 5-10 % (mostly domestic consumption);
- Thailand - 5-10 % (growing rapidly after the 2021 legalisation);
- others (Myanmar, Philippines) - below 5 %, mostly uncertified.
Reasons for Indonesia's dominance
Three main factors:
- Legislative latitude - Indonesia has so far (2026) not regulated kratom as a narcotic. The planned regulation is under discussion, but the deadline has repeatedly been postponed.
- Smallholder economics - leaf collection in Kalimantan provides income for hundreds of thousands of families, and there is political pressure in favour of the legality of production.
- Optimal climate - Borneo offers the most stable tropical climate in the region, with a minimum of climatic extremes.
Frequently asked questions
Does kratom grow wild or is it cultivated?
Both. In the natural range there is wild distribution in lowland forests along rivers, but commercial production relies 90 % on plantations or semi-cultivated stands.
In which countries is cultivation prohibited?
In Thailand, cultivation was prohibited from 1943 to 2021. Malaysia regulates collection through the Poisons Act. Most other countries in the range (Indonesia, Myanmar) do not yet prohibit cultivation.
Is kratom grown outside Southeast Asia?
Experimentally in some tropical regions of Latin America (Costa Rica, Colombia), but without a commercially significant volume.
Can it be grown in China or Africa?
In southern China (Yunnan, Hainan) marginally yes, but the climate is not ideal. In Africa the related species M. inermis occurs, but it does not contain mitragynine in a commercially significant amount.
References
- FAO (2019). Non-Wood Forest Products in Southeast Asia: Country Reports. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
- Cinosi E. et al. (2015). Following "the Roots" of Kratom. BioMed Research International, 2015, 968786.
- Singh D. et al. (2016). Traditional and non-traditional uses of Mitragyna speciosa in Malaysia and Thailand. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 192, 24-34.
