ANRPC: Heatwave impacts natural rubber production

Kuala Lumpur – Natural rubber (NR) production levels were significantly impacted by a heatwave amid the seasonal leaf-falling period, the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) reported.

Based on preliminary estimates from ANRPC member countries, global NR production shrank 6.7% in April compared to March to 896,000 tons – a 1.5% decline year-on-year.

The heatwave was particularly severe in India, with other southeast Asia NR producing countries also observed unusual hot weather, ANRPC said in its latest ‘monthly statistical report’.

In the coming month, it added, global NR production is expected to expand by 0.4% to 1.007 million tons compared to 1.003 million tons recorded for the same month of last year.

Despite the recent disruptions, the association said world NR supply remained on an expected annual growth track of 2.7%, to reach 14.916 million tonnes in full-year 2023.

ANRPC went on to report some “positive news” from India, where the Kerala government is establishing a second ‘rubber park’ of about 30 acres in the Kollam district.

The project, it said, aims to serve as a manufacturing hub for rubber and rubber-wood based products and will be supported by power, water and transport facilities.

The first ‘rubber park’ established in 1997 at Irapuram village in Ernakulam district is still in operation, the rubber-producing countries’ association noted.