Malaysian NR output fell in September

ERJ staff report (DS)

Kuala Lumpur -- Malaysia produced a total of 74,548 tonnes of natural rubber (NR) in September 2010. This was 2,655 tonnes less than September 2009 and also represents a decrease of 6,095 tonnes (-7.6 percent) when compared to the previous month. The smallholding sector contributed 93.4 percent of the total production in September 2010 while the estate sector accounted for only 6.6 percent.

Exports hit 68,763 tonnes in Spetember, up by 45.5 percent on the same month a year ago, but a reduction of 16,808 tonnes (-19.6 percent)over the previous month. The bulk of NR exported was Standard Malaysian Rubber (S.M.R) at 94.5 percent of which 53.0 percent came from SMR 20.

Malaysia's NR were exported mainly to China (39.7 percent) and Germany (15.0 percent). Other important destinations include Republic of Korea (4.5 percent), United States of America (3.9 percent), Islamic Republic of Iran (3.8 percent), Holland (3.1 percent), France (2.8 percent), Brazil (2.8 percent) and Turkey (2.4 percent).

Imports of NR in September 2010 reached 96,838 tonnes, a massive 62 percent increase on the same month a year ago, and increased by 22,244 tonnes (+29.8 percent) from the previous month. Latex concentrate represented 74.6 percent of the total imports.

The main countries for NR imports were Thailand (69.6 percent), Indonesia (13.5 percent) and Vietnam (7.2 percent). This was followed by Myanmar (2.3 percent) and Philippines (1.7 percent).The total from these five countries accounted for 94.3 percent of total imports.

Domestic consumption of NR was 35,539 tonnes in September 2010, down by 4.4 percent when compared to a year ago and down by 3,090 tonnes (-8.0 percent) on the previous month.

The main NR consuming industry continued to be the rubber gloves industry (70.7 percent) followed by rubber thread (10.3 percent) and tyres and tubes (6.9 percent). These three industries contributed 87.9 percent to the total domestic consumption of NR.

At the end of September 2010, the level of stocks of NR was 124,196 tonnes, an increase of 4,523 tonnes (+3.8 percent) when compared to the level of stocks of a month ago. Nevertheless, for year-on-year, the stocks level dropped 13.5 percent. Rubber Processors continued to hold the biggest portion of NR stocks ( (86.8 percent).

In September 2010, the average monthly price of NR continued to show a positive trend. For month-on-month, the average price of latex concentrate rose by 3.0 percent to 712.08 sen, while the average price of S.M.R. 20 went up by 8.2 percent to 1,033.84 sen. Year-on-year comparison reflected even stronger increases where the average price of latex concentrate and S.M.R 20 increased by 50.6 percent and 45.3 percent 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