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The production of natural rubber has fall 10 per cent during April-December in the current financial year, according to the Rubber Board, at 627,000 tonnes against 697,200 tonnes a year ago.
This might affect availability in four-five months. Board sources said production this financial year would be 870,000 tonnes. Intensive rain and widespread in fall are the reasons for the decline in production.
The Board had projected a production of 960,000 tonnes and consumption of 1,020,000 tonnes (deficit: 60,000 tonnes). According to growers, production is likely to drop to 800,000 tonnes.
In 2012-13, India had produced 912,200 tonnes, a per cent rise on a year ago. Despite lower production in April-December during 2013-14, consumption did not slack much: Only a two per cent fall. It dropped to 728,080 tonnes, compared to 742,480 tonnes a year ago.
Imports, one of the main sources of supply, shot up to 264,576 tonnes in April-December this financial year against 173,441 tonnes a year ago, a growth of 40 per cent. The final import figure in 2012-13 was 217,364 tonnes. It is almost certain imports would cross 300,000 tonnes, despite the recent duty rise.
There is a price advantage in the overseas markets. Local markets on Tuesday quoted Rs 160 for 1 kg of RSS-4 grade. But in Bangkok, the tag was only Rs 149. So the trend set in the case of imports in the current fiscal might continue into the January–March period also.
