The Hindu Business Line : ‘Rubber output declines; won’t affect availability’

There has been a decline in rubber production this year but it will not adversely affect the availability of rubber, said the Rubber Board Chairman, Mr Sajen Peter.

Addressing the 157th meeting of the Rubber Board, he said the consumption this year would go up to 8.57 lakh tonnes. The production would be only around 8.19 lakh tonnes. But since there is a stock of 1,42,440 tonnes till the end of November, it might not affect the availability.

The increase in imports is the reason behind the present stocks.

Imports from January till the end of November was at 1,01,937 tonnes. But the import during the corresponding period last year was only 38,685 tonnes. The present trade situations do not favour export. Though the export was expected to be 70,000 tonnes during the year, it might come down to 24,000 tonnes. The Indian rubber growers are getting a price very close to the notified prices and a change in the price is also not expected in the near future.

The Board would lay much emphasis during the 11th Plan period to enable the growers to achieve competitive efficiency at the global level.

A combined approach in all sectors including agriculture, processing, marketing etc. is essential. More attention would be paid to all the aspects in the 11th Plan period, the Chairman said.

The first meeting of the reconstituted Board held at Kottayam unanimously elected Mr K. Jacob Thomas , Managing director, Vaniampara Rubber Company, as the Vice-Chairman.