Producing countries warn of looming shortfall in natural rubber supply

Qingdao, China – Low natural rubber prices, caused by factors including oil prices, lower demand than forecast and weak global equity market, may lead to a slowdown in new plantations and replanting and tighten supplies from 2020 onwards.

The China factor is not to be overlooked, either, said Thomas. The country accounts for 40 percent of global natural rubber consumption, and imports 80 percent of what it consumes.

Its various economic situations and rubber policies, such as the depreciation of yuan and the new tariff policy on compound rubber that curbs imports, hold strong influence over the global industry.

Last year global natural rubber production dropped slightly to 11.8 million tonnes, lower than global consumption pegged at 11.9 million tonnes.

“Farmers find it very hard to justify production,” said Thomas. “They are looking to the government for solutions.”