Natural rubber production in India is picking up and the production during April-July 2010 was estimated to be higher by 6.5% over the corresponding period in the previous year, according to Rubber Board Chairman Sajen Peter. NR production in 2009-10 was lower by 3.8% over 2008-09 mainly owing to adverse weather conditions, growing stock of old plantations and intense harvesting done in 2008. It is projected that NR production in 2010-11 would be 893,000 tonnes, he said.
NR consumption in 2009-10 increased by 6.8% over that of the 2008-09 and the projected consumption of NR this fiscal is 978,000 tonnes. During April-July 2010 also, consumption recorded an increase of 3.3% as compared to the same period last year. According to projections, there would be a deficit of 85,000 tonnes this year. Mr. Sajen Peter stated that there would, however, be no shortage in the domestic market as the opening stock in 2010-11 was 253,975 tonnes.