Indian natural rubber output rebounds on higher prices

Kottayam, India – Higher prices have contributed to a significant pick-up in India’s production and export of natural rubber (NR), the country’s Rubber Board has reported.

Production during the last fiscal year reached 690,000 tonnes, well above a forecast level of 654,000 tonnes and 22.8% above the 562,000 tonnes recorded in 2015-16.

NR production this March in India reached 55,000 tonnes, 66.7% above the level in the same month last year, the Rubber Board added in a 24 April release.

Indian NR exports during last fiscal year came in at 20,010 tonnes, compared to only 865 tonnes in the preceding year.

Likewise, March exports reached 4562 tonnes, against only 33 tonnes a year ago, said the board, which linked the rebound to higher prices in the international market.

“The increased production of NR is the result of improved market price and a number of initiatives taken by the Board at field level, including mass contact programmes to improve production and productivity,” said the Rubber Board.

According to the industry body, measures such as training helped in bringing confidence among growers and as a result more holdings came under tapping.

Last year 10,000 people were trained in rubber tapping, with another 22,000 to go on a programme in the coming months.