Domestic production and consumption of natural rubber dropped during April, according to the provisional estimates of the Rubber Board.
The data showed there was a sharp rise in the import as prices in the overseas markets have become attractive to the rubber-intensive manufacturers.
The local price of benchmark grade RSS-4 rubber was today higher by Rs 17 per kg than the price in Bangkok market. According to board’s estimates, India imported 26,445 tonne rubber in April this year, as against 14,396 tonne in April, 2013.
During 2013-14, India imported 325,190 tonne, which was an all-time high.
Experts told Business Standard going by the current trend, rubber imports would be on the higher side in the current financial year.
Local production of natural rubber dropped 3.8 per cent in April at 51,000 tonne, as against 53,000 tonne in last April.
Consumption also dropped to 81,500 tonne as against 82,980 tonne in April, 2013.
Rubber exports were a mere 28 tonnes in April as against 1,538 tonne in April, last year, the Rubber Board data stated.
