Nigerian government joins IRSG

Wembley, UK - The International Rubber Study Group has announced that the Government of Nigeria is now a member of the Group.

Nigeria has been producing rubber on a significant scale since the 1940s. Despite a decline in area under rubber recent years, as oil prices have jumped, this oil-rich west-African country may still have the largest area under rubber in Africa at an estimated 145,000 hectares. It is likely that less than one third of this may be considered as viable rubber producing land.

Much of the rubber area is thought to be relatively old with low yields. The latest news is that under a recent presidential initiative of the Nigerian Government a total of 20 000 hectares per year during a period of 10 years will be acquired with a view to developing the nation as a major producer and exporter of natural rubber. NR consumption is relatively small and stable at around 16 000 tonnes a year, while SR consumption is around 5000 tonnes per year.