Malaysia NR production trends present mixed picture

Kuala Lumpur – Natural rubber (NR) production in Malaysia increased by 23.8% in June to 29,867 tonnes, as compared to May, data from the country’s department of statistics shows.

However, the June NR production level – mainly from the smallholders sector (85.9%) compared to estates sector (14.1%) – was 3.9% lower than the same month of last year.

Total stocks of NR in June 2023 decreased by 5.4% to 159,742 tonnes as compared to 168,806 tonnes in May 2023, added the monthly review issued 8 Aug.

Rubber processors’ factories contributed 88.8% of the stocks followed by rubber consumers factory 11.1% and rubber estates 0.2%.

Exports of Malaysia's NR increased 31.8% month-on-month to 48,857 tonnes in June, with China accounting 50.6% of the total, followed by Germany (7.8%), US (4.9%), Pakistan (3.1%) and Iran (2.5%).

Over the second quarter of 2023, NR production decreased by 7.6%, to 77,453 tonnes, compared to the first quarter, but still 3.8% above the same period last year.