Natural rubber (NR) production recorded an increase of 5 per cent during April-October period of the current financial year, while consumption almost remained flat.
This is the lowest growth recorded in consumption during the current financial year. Total production increased to 480,700 tonnes (provisional) as against 457,650 tonnes in the same period last year. According to the Rubber Board data, the seven-month consumption increased to 551,425 tonnes as against 550,230 tonnes. Production in October increased to 89,300 tonnes as against 82,400 tonnes, registering a growth of 8.4 per cent, while consumption increased only 2.7 per cent at 76,000 tonnes.
For the first time during the last one year, the total NR stock of the country recorded a nominal dip of 6,877 tonnes. The total stock as on 31st October was 247,000 tonnes as against 253,877 tonnes on the same date last year.
Exports registered a 412 per cent increase in April- October to 19,995 tonnes as against 4,738 tonnes in the same period last fiscal. Import of natural rubber dropped 30 per cent to 95,919 tonnes as against 138,245 tonnes.
