Kerala: Rubber output up but import soars

Kochi: Natural rubber output in the country rose by 10 per cent to 305,000 tonne in Apr-Sep 2016 as against 277,000 tonne in the same period a year ago. The provisional estimates released by the Rubber Board on Thursday has also shown that demand the demand for the commodity went up by 5.6 per cent to 518,930 tonne from 491,260 tonne during the same period. Although natural rubber output has shown a 10 per cent increase, import of the commodity continued to remain at higher levels.

According to Rubber Board data, import rose to 250,275 tonne as against 234,887 in April-Sep in the previous year. The high level of import is a matter of concern for the rubber farmers despite the increase in the production here, sources connected with the rubber farming said. Farmers are apprehensive that higher levels of import would keep prices of the commodity depressed in the domestic market.

A section of the rubber farmers however feel that the import of the commodity may slow down due to the leveling of the price in domestic and international market in the recent past. Rubber price is currently hovering around Rs 116 rupees per kg for the RSS-4 grade in Kottayam, down 2 rupees from Rs 118 prevailed a month ago. In the Bangkok market the grade on par with RSS-4 grade is now priced at Rs 115.47 per kg. The carry forward stock in the country as on September 30, 2016 is 245,000 compared with 240,000 tonne a year ago.