Exports of natural rubber fell 33.6% year-on-year and 5.9% month-on-month to 65,778 tonnes in April

The production of natural rubber in April fell by 4,569 tonnes (7% year-on-year) to 60,888 tonnes.

Compared with March, production fell by 6,488 tonnes (9.6% month-on-month).

According to the Statistics Department, the level of stocks in April was 118,214 tonnes, which meant a decrease of 6.4% year-on-year and 17.2% month-on-month.

Meanwhile, exports of natural rubber fell 33.6% year-on-year and 5.9% month-on-month to 65,778 tonnes in April.

The main export destinations were China (40.2%), followed by Germany (13.6%), South Korea (4.5%), Brazil (3.9%), Portugal (3.4%), the United States (2.9%), Netherlands (2.8%), Finland (2.3%) and UK (2.0%).

However, imports of natural rubber in April increased by 15,066 tonnes (32.6%) year-on-year to 61,245 tonnes.

In terms of month-on-month comparison, there was a decrease in imports by 3,596 tonnes (5.5%). Almost half of the total imports comprised latex concentrate (43.6%).

Natural rubber was imported mainly from Thailand (65.8%), followed by Vietnam (8.3%), the Philippines (5.4%) and Myanmar (3.5%).

As for the domestic consumption of natural rubber in April, this increased 11.8% or 3,799 tonnes year-on-year to 35,979 tonnes.

However, month-on-month, domestic consumption of natural rubber dropped 3,224 tonnes (8.2%) in April.

In April, the overall average monthly price of natural rubber showed a decrease.

The average price of latex concentrate was recorded at 751.87 sen, and had dropped 31.04 sen (4.0%) from the previous month,

whereas year-on-year, the average price of latex concentrate was reduced by 292.73 sen (28%).

The average price of Standard Malaysian Rubber 20 that was recorded at 1,100.47 sen, also dropped 19.78 sen (1.8%) and 389.91 sen (26.2%) when compared with the previous month and year.

Source: www.thestar.com.my