Rubber Board to promote exports of natural rubber

Kottayam, July 28 (UNI) The Rubber Board has taken steps to promote exports of natural rubber, a senior official has said.

According to Rubber Board Chairman Sajen Peter, the present climate was favourable for export mainly because of the disparity in the domestic and international market prices.

The present difference was around Rs 20 per kg and the board intended to reduce the disparity, he said.

Presiding over a conference of rubber exporters here,Mr Peter stressed the need for improving the quality of rubber and packaging to get good prices for the commodity.

The Board was providing common facilities for rubber exporters at Kochi in order to ensure better prices.

Though rubber exports had gone up compared to the previous year, the last few months, exports were not up to the expectations of the Board.

Board sources indicated the current year's revised export target of 60,000 tonne may go up to 80,000 tonne.

Last year, exports came down due to certain reasons, including cancellation of export subsidy.

Since international prices were ruling above the domestic price, exports would increase during the rest of the year.

The production was affected due to monsoon vagaries and there was shortage of supply. The situation would improve in the coming months, they added.

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