Malaysia's NR production continues steep fall

ERJ staff report (DS)

Kuala Lumpur -- Malaysia's output of natural rubber continued its steep decline into February. The country saw volumes decline by over a third compared to the same month in 2008. Much of this was down to a strong decline in demand from China in the period from December to February.

Production of natural rubber (NR) in February 2009 was recorded at 72,732 tonnes, down by 36.8 percent on the volume produced in February 2008, but just 0.9 percent down on January 2009. The smallholding sector contributed 93.6% of total production while the estate sector, the remaining 6.4%.

Exports of Malaysian NR in February 2009 decreased by 28.1% when compared to the same month in 2008, to 59,836 tonnes. The figure was up by 20.9% compared with January 2008. The exports. Standard Malaysian Rubber (SMR) constituted 92.2% of total exports. Of the total SMR exported, SMR 20 accounted the highest, 49.1%.

A large portion of exports of natural rubber in February 2009 was to China with 25,795 tonnes, Germany 7,729 tonnes, Korea 3,255 tonnes, U.S.A. 2,679 tonnes, Iran 2,408 tonnes, Turkey 1,733 tonnes and France 1,636 tonnes.

In February 2009, imports of NR was 52,025 tonnes, a decrease of 9.0 percent compared to the same month in 2008, but, an increase of 19.8% when compared to January 2009. The main type of rubber imported was latex concentrate which accounted for 44.8% of total imports during reference month.

For February 2009, NR was imported mainly from Thailand 85.2%, Vietnam 2.4%, and India 2.3%. Total imports from these three countries accounted for 89.8% of the overall NR imports.

Domestic consumption of NR in January 2009 was 35,433 tonnes, down by 10.4 percent on the same month in 2008, but up by 3.1% when compared to January 2009.

In February 2009, the average monthly price of latex concentrate was 406.14 cent, an increase of 5.4% compared to January 2009. The average price of latex in February 2009 was 33.1% lower when compared with February 2008

The price of S.M.R. 20 in February 2009 was 494.14 cents, a increased of 1.3% compared to January 2008. When compared to the same month last year, the price decreased by 42.2%.

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Press release from Malaysian Statistics office