ANRPC notes, 'drastic drop' in NR production

ERJ staff report (DS)

Kuala Lumpur -- The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) has noted a drastic drop in consumption of NR around the world. In its latest newsletter (ANRPC Monthly Bulletin of Rubber Statistics, Volume 1. No. 3, April/May 2009), Senior Economist Jom Jacob writes, "The first four months of the current year witnessed drastic drop in production of natural rubber (NR) across countries."

Nevertheless, the ANRPC says, "For the above seven countries which account for about 94% of the global production of NR, the total production is anticipated to decline by 3.2% during2009." The group estimated its seven member countries will produce 8.829 million tonnes of NR in 2009, compared with 9.116 million in 2008.

The drop is explained by a decline in truck tyre production around the world, and by a serious decline in tyre production in the first months of the year in China. "

China's imports of NR declined sharply in the December - February period, but recovered strongly in March:

Chinese imports of NR ('000 tonnes)

2008

2009