Rubber exports jump by 5,500 tn in March

The country exported 5,512 tonnes of natural number in just three weeks to take shipments to 48,410 tonnes in 2007-08 till March 24.

According to the Rubber Board, the country may finish the current year with total exports of 50,000-51,000 tonnes. Total exports in 2006-07 were 56,545 tonnes.

The board had earlier projected an export figure of 55,000 tonnes for the year. Till January, total exports were only 29,674 tonnes.

Afterwards, the global market turned in favour of Indian rubber and in February and March, exports took a quantum leap. In February alone, 10,818 tonnes were sold overseas.

Meanwhile, imports slowed down in February and March. Till March 24, the total import was 85,401 tonnes against 81,513 tonnes in the same period of 2006-07.

Over 2,100 tonnes were imported in the last three weeks.

The country is expected to import around 87,000 tonnes in the current financial year against the earlier estimate of 90,000 tonnes.

Total import for the last financial year was 89,699 tonnes, according to the board's final estimates.