Rubber production seen falling in 2009

Rubber production seen falling in 2009
With a decline of 6.5 per cent in rubber production during the first eight months of the current fiscal, India could soon lose its pre-dominant position as the global leader in rubber productivity.



The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries has predicted that rubber productivity is poised to come down from 1,903 kg a hectare in 2008 to 1,774 kg in 2009.



Despite the predicted shortfall, India is still expected to dominate other major rubber producing countries in productivity. India's performance on the productivity front will depend on how well nearest rivals such as Thailand and Vietnam perform in the current and coming years. Vietnam, one of the nearest rivals with a productivity of 1,625 kg a hectare still remains a good 150 kg less than India. But India's position will depend more on how well Thailand's rubber plantations perform. While Thailand held the second position in 2008 with 1,698 kg, forecasts for the succeeding years are not available. (BL)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/01/01/stories/2010010152821600.htm

Spot rubber stays steady
Kottayam: The physical rubber prices finished almost unchanged on Thursday. The only gainer of the day was latex 60 per cent which firmed up on better demand. Sheet rubber closed unchanged at Rs 139 from a kg amidst scattered transactions. The market appeared to be in a holiday mood on the last trading day of 2009 to celebrate the New Year.



The January futures for RSS 4 improved to Rs 142.50 (141.78), February to Rs 145.05 (143.94), March to Rs 147.24 (146.41) and April to Rs 149.50 (148.81) a kg on National Multi Commodity Exchange (NMCE). The Tokyo Commodity Exchange (TOCOM) remained closed owing to a designated holiday.



Spot rates were (Rs/kg): RSS-4: 139 (139); RSS-5: 132.50 (132.50); ungraded: 128.50 (128.50); ISNR 20: 130 (130) and latex 60 per cent: 86 (84.50). (BL)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/01/01/stories/2010010152801600.htm