Kerala: Rubber imports at record high of 84,846 tn

Kottayam, Apr 3: The country's rubber imports during 2006-07 reached a record high of 84,846 tonnes as against 45,285 tonnes during 2005-06 due to lower global prices as compared to the domestic ones.

According to Rubber Board sources, the domestic price of natural rubber ruled around Rs 10 above the international price during October-December season. Hence, the traders found it beneficial to import the good under the advance license scheme without tax to make a buffer stock for the lean season of February-July.

The industrialists also anticipated a price hike during the lean season as the prices crossed Rs 100 per kg during the season in the domestic market.

The imports were 72,835 tonnes during 2004-05.

On the contrary, the quantity of natural rubber exported during January decreased sharply to 624 tonnes, 579 tonnes in February and 2,000 tonnes in March as against 4,670 tonnes, 5,850 tonnes and 8,442 tonnes, respectively during the corresponding periods last year.

The export during 2006-07 fell to 55,500 tonnes against 73,830 tonnes during the year 2005-06, since there was no export during the period from October 2006 to December 2006, owing to steep rise in the price in the domestic market The production of natural rubber in the country during 2006-07 was 8.53 lakh tonnes against 8.02 lakh tonnes during 2005-06.

The growth recorded during 2006-07 was 6.3 per cent as against 7.1 per cent during 2005-06 and 5.3 per cent during 2004-05.

However, production during March decreased to 46,500 tonnes from 47,500 tonnes in February. The comparitive figures for the corresponding periods last year were 45,890 tonnes during March 2006 and 51,505 tonnes during 2006.

Drought was the major factor for the production fall in February.

The sources expect the production to go up in April if sufficient rains are received. The country's production target for 2007-08 is 8.74 lakh tonnes and consumption 8.53 lakh tonnes.

UNI