Malaysian NR production fell in August

ERJ staff report (DS)

Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia's production of natural rubber (NR) fell in August 2012 compared with the year-ago figure and the previous month. Production was registered at 72,428 tonnes, decreased by 12,707 tonnes (-14.9 percent) compared to July 2012. Natural rubber production also dropped 23,303 tonnes (-24.3 percent) from a year ago.

Exports also fell. Total exports in the month were 62,458 tonnes, down 240 tonnes (-0.4 percent) from a month ago and down by by 18,048 tonnes (-22.4 percent) compared to August 2011.

NR was mainly exported to the People's Rep. of China (43.2 percent), followed by Federal Rep. of Germany (13.4 percent), U.S.A. (4.7 percent), Islamic Rep. of Iran (3.9 percent), Rep. of Korea (3.2 percent), Turkey (2.9 percent), Finland (2.9 percent) and Brazil (2.9 percent). The total exports to these countries accounted for 77.2 per cent of the overall NR exports.

Imports, however jumped by 55 percent compared to a year ago, at 77,409 tonnes. This was an increase of 2 percent compared to the previous month. A total of 47.8 per cent of the overall imports comprised of Standard Rubber whereas 33.9 per cent from latex concentrate.

NR was imported mainly from Thailand at 46.9 per cent, Viet Nam 28.1 per cent and Philippines 5.9 per cent. Total imports from these three countries accounted for 80.9 per cent of the overall NR imports.

In August 2012, the total domestic consumption of NR was 35,390 tonnes. Month-on-month comparison shows a decrease of 2,321 tonnes (-6.2 percent) whereas year-on-year shows an increase of 2,306 tonnes (+7.0 percent).

The rubber gloves industry was the highest consuming industry of NR at 25,111 tonnes (70.9 percent), followed by rubber thread (8.2 percent) and tyre & tubes (6.2 percent). These three industries consumed more than half of the overall domestic consumption in the country with a total of 30,185 tonnes (85.3 percent).

In August 2012, the average monthly price of latex concentrate was recorded at 567.45 sen per kilogramme. The average price of latex concentrate dropped 76.07 sen (-11.8 percent) from the previous month and 291.55 sen (-33.9 percent) from the previous year.

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Press release from Malaysian statistics office