Global rubber consumption reached 22.2 million tonnes in the twelve months to March 2010, 3.2% higher than at the same point in 2009, according to the latest report of IRSG. This shows that consumption growth has finally entered positive territory after fifteen consecutive months of decline, although the current level is still nearly 1.6 million tonnes below its peak of 23.8 million tonnes reached in May 2008.
Global natural rubber consumption growth was 1.7% in March 2010 in year-on-year (YOY) terms, compared to -7.7% at the end of 2009. Global synthetic rubber consumption growth was 5.5%, compared to -6.1% at the end of 2009.