Imports may rise to 80,000 tn

The Rubber Board has revised the target for both exports and imports of natural rubber on accounts of distinct changes in domestic and international market conditions.

According to the board's revised estimates, imports may increase to 80,000 tonnes against its target to contain it at 60,000 tonnes.

According rubber dealers and rubber-based industry sources, imports may even go up to 90,000 tonnes. During the first six months of the current financial year, 50,865 tonnes were imported against 28,879 tonnes last year, a growth of 41 per cent.

However, the board has scaled down the exports target to 25,500 tonnes against its earlier projection of 70,000 tonnes. During April-October, a mere 17,495 tonnes were exported against 49,702 tonnes during the same period last year.

The board has also revised the country's total stocks figure as on March 31 , 2008, to 186,000 tonnes. The sharp increase in stocks will ensure a hurdle-free supply of natural rubber, and hence check increase in prices in the domestic market.