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Output estimates released by the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) showed India had slipped to the fifth spot in production, below Vietnam and China, in 2013.
India was at the fourth place in 2012 after Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. India's position could have been much weaker in 2013, but a sharp fall in production in Malaysia 'saved' the country.
Among the top-nine producers, India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka had seen a decline last year. The growth in Vietnam and China was surprising. For the first time, Vietnam production crossed a million.
A couple of years ago, India was third in production after Thailand and Indonesia. It saw a serious fall during 2008-13, leading to a serious supply crunch in the local markets. This led to an uptick in imports during 2013-14.
During 2013, India saw a 7.6 per cent decrease at 849,000 tonnes. Vietnam saw a growth of 20 per cent.
At a meeting organised by the Board recently, Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA) and All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA) were for empowering the sector.
Rajiv Budhraja, director-general, ATMA, said tyre and other rubber-based sectors had expressed their concerns over the fall in production and productivity. Production growth has been on a declining trend for five years.
Provisional figures for 2012-13 by the Board showed productivity had slackened. The productivity, 1,867 kg a hectare in 2008-09, had dropped to 1,813 kg a hectare in 2012-13.
"India has had a chequered history in production," said Niraj Thakkar, president, AIRIA.
Quoting Board data, the associations said the period between 2008-09 and 2012-13 saw an increase of 41,000 hectares. The productivity of the area has been calculated at 1,200 kg a hectare, worrisome.
ATMA and AIRIA have asked for an annual assessment of the age profile of trees, important for planting, re-planting and determining productivity.
"Rubber is one of the key productive assets of the country. For optimal growth, a periodic stock-taking exercise is a must. Planting and re-planting tend to slow down when prices are at a high or low. Considering the volatility in prices in recent years, the deferment does not augur well for the country," added Budhraja.
"Our demand for a national rubber policy needs to be viewed against this backdrop. Policy makers should address these macro and long-term trends in rubber development," said Thakkar.
