Brazilian rubber traders look to India as local supplies dry up

KOCHI: It is like carrying coal to New Castle. Indian natural rubber exporters are getting ready to ship their products to Brazil — the birth place of natural rubber. A delegation of the representatives of the Indian rubber sector who participated in a trade fair in Brazil has come back with a flood of enquiries for rubber.

“There were several enquiries for importing Indian rubber into Brazil of which around 50 were serious ones reflecting genuine business”, sources said.

The Rubber Board had participated in the India Show 2007, Sao Paulo, Brazil organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation from March 6 to 11. A large number of firms engaged in import of raw materials, consultancy services, global sourcing entities and actual consumers were among those who evinced interest in Indian rubber.

“Many of those who showed interest were unaware of the availability of rubber in India and were relying on European re-exporters”, they said. The Rubber Board has circulated among Indian rubber exporters a consolidated list of serious enquiries that it received.

Despite being the place were natural rubber tree took root first, Brazil is at present facing a shortage of rubber. A disease known as South American Leaf Blight has affected the rubber plantations seriously restricting production at 1 lakh tonne.

sanandakumar.s@timesgroup.com