Rubber production slips 5.7% in Jan-Aug

News-National
Spot rubber improves on covering purchases
Kottayam: Spot rubber continued to post moderate gains on Wednesday. According to sources the market improved mainly on covering purchases. It was also rumoured that the major consuming industries were active in the main marketing centres but they preferred to keep a low profile. Sheet rubber moved up to Rs 108.50 from Rs 107.50 a kg and the market made all-round gains with comparatively better volumes.

Futures firm
The October futures for RSS 4 firmed up to Rs 108.48 (107.73), November to Rs 109.50 (109.12), December to Rs 111.42 (111.05) and January to Rs 113.19 (112.54) a kg on National Multi Commodity Exchange (NMCE). RSS 3 improved at its October futures to ¥216 (¥215) (Rs 111.59), November to ¥219.6 (¥216.4), December to ¥219.2 (¥218.7), January to ¥218 (¥217.8), February to ¥217.5 (¥217) and March to ¥217.9 (¥217.4) a kg during the day session on Tokyo Commodity Exchange (TOCOM). The November futures concluded at ¥220.8, December at ¥218.4, January at ¥216.6, February at ¥216.2 and March at ¥216.3 a kg while the October futures remained inactive during the night session. RSS 3 slipped to Rs 111.22 (111.62) a kg on Singapore Commodity Exchange (SICOM). The grade (spot) firmed up further to Rs 110.89 (110.41) a kg at Bangkok. (BL)
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2009/10/15/stories/2009101550581600.htm
Rubber production slips 5.7% in Jan-Aug
Kochi: The country’s natural rubber production slipped 5.7 per cent during the first eight months of 2009.

The Rubber Board has indicated that the trend is likely to continue and the year may close with a production shortfall of 3.7 per cent over last year.

In this backdrop, prices are likely to remain steady to firm this year, sources in the rubber trade said. Supporting the domestic price line, output of seven major rubber-producing countries, accounting for 93 per cent of the global production, recorded a 3.7 per cent fall during the 12 months ending August compared with the previous year.

Although better production in August helped reduce the global shortfall, the deficit continues and prices are expected to remain firm. (BL)
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2009/10/15/stories/2009101550611600.htm