Malaysia's NR production rose in May

ERJ staff report (DS)

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -- Production of natural rubber (NR) rose by 6,169 tonnes (+9.4 percent) to 71,626 tonnes in May 2011 when compared to the previous month. A year-on-year increase of 11.0 per cent was also recorded. The smallholding sector contributed 95.5 per cent of total NR production with the balance coming from the estate sector. The states that dominate NR production in estates were Kedah (29.8 percent), Negeri Sembilan (22.6 percent) and Pahang (13.8 percent).

In May 2011, exports of NR were 81,168 tonnes, a decrease of 17,944 tonnes (-18.1 percent) from the previous month. However, compared to last year, exports rose 26.4 per cent. The bulk of total exports was Standard Malaysian Rubber (S.M.R) at 77,490 tonnes (95.5 percent) of which 43.1 per cent was S.M.R. 20.

Total imports of NR in May 2011 were 45,800 tonnes, a small decrease of 379 tonnes (-0.8 percent) when compared to the previous month. Similarly, imports also fell when compared to last year (-7.9 percent). Latex concentrate was the main type of NR imported at 22,977 tonnes or 50.2 per cent of total imports.

In May 2011, domestic consumption of NR was 32,659 tonnes, a small increase of 479 tonnes (+1.5 percent) from the previous month. However, year-on-year comparison saw domestic consumption of NR decreasing by 19.6 per cent.

The level of stocks of NR held at the end of May 2011 reduced by 7.3 per cent to 117,060 tonnes compared to the level of stocks of the previous month. For year-on-year comparison, a decrease of 3.1 per cent was recorded. The biggest portion of the stocks was held by Rubber Processors (85.9 percent).

The average price of NR fell in May 2011 when compared to the previous month. The average price of latex concentrate dropped by 101.27 sen (-9.7 percent) to 943.33 sen whilst S.M.R. 20 reduced by 156.05 sen (-10.5 percent) to 1,334.33 sen. Nevertheless, year-on-year comparison showed that the average prices of latex concentrate and S.M.R. 20 were still strong with gains of 34.4 per cent and 45.0 per cent respectively.

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Press release from Malaysian Statistics Office