Rubber news-002 dt 15.09.09 time10.15a.m. I.S.T

Spot rubber declines further
Kottayam: Spot rubber weakened further on Monday. The market continued to witness moderate selling from dealers and growers reacting to the sharp declines in rubber futures on TOCOM.

Sheet rubber moved down to Rs 100.50 from Rs 102.50 a kg in the absence of fresh enquiries from major consuming industries. Fears on further fall in prices following the resumption of tapping in most of the plantations kept the sentiments under pressure during the session.

Futures improve
The September futures for RSS 4 improved to Rs 102.50 (101.50), October to Rs 102.65 (101.47), November to Rs 103.50 (102.30) and December to Rs 103.36 (103.27) a kg on National Multi Commodity Exchange (NMCE). RSS 3 September futures fell to ¥185 (¥204.7) (Rs.99.27), October to ¥186.1 (¥203.8), November to ¥187 (¥205.1), December to ¥189.2 (¥208.1), January to ¥192.5 (¥211.7) and February to ¥195.4 (¥215.1) a kg during the day session on Tokyo Commodity Exchange (TOCOM). (BL)
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2009/09/15/stories/2009091551791600.htm
India may overtake China in rubber consumption
Coonoor: If weather improves between October and January, the peak tapping season for rubber, India can match its production target of 8.67 lakh tonnes in 2009-10, Mr Toms Joseph, Scientist, Planning Division of the Rubber Board, said.

The present indication however shows a 13.3 per cent drop in production between April-August 2009, according to the Board's provisional production estimates.

Overtaking china
On the consumption front, India is expected to move from being the third largest consumer to the second biggest, overtaking China, even as global consumption is projected to decline by 5.5 per cent in 2009 to 9.53 million tonnes.
The country till recently was the fourth largest consumer next only to the US, China and Japan. (BL)
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2009/09/15/07hdline.htm
Plantation commodities export likely to rise 15%
Coimbatore: The global drop in production of plantation commodities should benefit India. The Exim Bank Chairman and Managing Director, Mr T C Venkatsubramanian, expects a 15 per cent increase in exports during the current fiscal.

‘focus on niche’
Addressing a technical session at the United Planters’ Association of Southern India, Mr Venkatsubramanian said export of plantation commodities during 2008-09 was $1.9 billion. “It should increase by 15 per cent this year. However, a small drop in the price levels should see exports go up drastically. Planters should strive to increase productivity and be more cost-effective to improve the country’s stand on the export front. Small growers should focus on niche products to explore opportunities. The Exim Bank will extend support,” he said.

Out of the total production of 15.5 million tonnes in 2008-09, plantation commodities exports totaled 5.3 lakh tonnes, he said. (BL)
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2009/09/15/stories/2009091551821600.htm