Rubber production set to increase to 8.75 lakh tonnes

KOTTAYAM: With rubber plantations reporting a higher yield, the production of natural rubber in the country, which witnessed a slump in the first half of last year owning to various factors, has been projected at 8.75 lakh tonnes, a growth of six per cent, according to the Rubber Board here.

Natural rubber production during 2007-08 decreased to 8.25 lakh tonnes compared to 8.53 lakh tonnes in 2006-07, a negative growth of 3.2 per cent following vector borne diseases among tappers, unfavourable weather conditions and abnormal leaf fall in the state, board sources said.

However, since October, 2007 the plantations had reported higher yield following intensive tapping and, leading to a positive turnaround in the sector.

Despite the overall decline in production during the last fiscal, the export of natural rubber increased from 56,545 tonnes in 2006-07 to 60,280 tonnes last year.
Nothwithstanding the decline in the export during August-October 2007 due to depreciation of US Dollar against the Rupee and price difference between domestic and international markets, the total quantum of rubber exported was higher than the previous year, the sources said.