Natural rubber production rises marginally

Natural rubber (NR) production increased 2.8 per cent between April 2010 and January 2011. According to provisional estimates by the Rubber Board, the consumption of rubber grew 1.8 per cent, a marginal increase compared to 1.6 per cent in the April-December period.

Interestingly, the consumption of natural rubber took a U-turn in January, with a 1.3 per cent increase as compared to the negative growth of 1.3 per cent in December. In January, the consumption increased to 81,000 tonnes as against 77,500 tonnes in December 2010.

Production in January increased to 98,800 tonnes as against 97,500 tonnes in the same month of last year, registering a growth of 1.3 per cent. Cumulative production in April–January period increased to 7,49,950 tonnes as against 7,29,250 tonnes in the same period of last financial year.

During the same period, consumption increased to 7,89,230 tonnes as against 775,565 tones in the same period of last financial year.