Malaysian NR output up in March

ERJ staff report (DS)

Kuala Lumpur -- Malaysia's natural rubber production in March this year was 67,376 tonnes, up by 2.1 percent on the same month in 2011, but down by 23.5 percent or 20,701 tonnes compared to February 2012.

Malaysia exported 69,937 tonnes of NR in March 2012, a decline of 37 percent, or 41,000 tonnes on the same period a year ago. The figure represented an increase of 5,894 tonnes (+9.2 percent) compared to the previous month. Standard Malaysian Rubber (S.M.R.) contributes 94.7 per cent from the total exports where 45.7 per cent comprised of S.M.R. 20.

The main destination for exports of NR were the People's Republic of China (40.1 percent), followed by Federal Republic of Germany (14.2 percent), USA. (5.0 percent), Republic of Korea (4.1 percent), Brazil (3.4 percent), Netherlands (2.8 percent), Portugal (2.2 percent), United Kingdom (2.2 percent) and France (2.2 percent). The total exports to these countries accounted for 76.2 per cent of the overall NR exports.

In March 2012, imports of NR was recorded at 64,841 tonnes, an increase of 10 percent on the year-ago figure. Almost half of the total imports comprised of latex concentrate (40.2 percent). NR was imported mainly from Thailand (63.7 percent), followed by Viet Nam (12.8 percent), Philippines (5.6 percent) and Myanmar (5.0 percent)

Domestic consumption of NR increased by 4,179 tonnes (+11.9 percent) from February 2012 reaching 39,203 tonnes in March 2012. Domestic consumption also shows an increase of 2,875 tonnes (+7.9 percent) compared to a year ago.

In March 2012, the ratio of total NR production to total area tapped was 82.3 kilogram per hectare (kg/ha). This month's productivity of NR was lower compared to the previous month and year at 34.5 percent and 10.3 per cent respectively.

This is an external link and should open in a new window. If the window does not appear, please check your pop-up blocking software. ERJ is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Press release from Malaysian Statistics office