Ample Stocks Of Rubber Available

Kottayam: Though there has been a shortage of 62,000 tonnes in production during the first half of the current fiscal compared with the same period last year, there would not be any problems relating to the availability of rubber as there is excess stock, said Sajen Peter, Chairman Rubber Board.

The contagious diseases and continuing rains in the plantation areas were the major reasons for the low production.

Domestic price

Though there was fall in production, the stock at the end of September 2007 was 93,000 tonnes, which is 39,000 tonnes more than the same period last year. The Chairman was addressing a meeting of the stakeholders of the industry at Kottayam.

During April-September last year, the consumption was 4,03,980 tonnes. This year, it has increased by 3.18 per cent to 4,16,810 tonnes. During the last one or two years, the average domestic price had been ruling below the international price.

The representatives of growers and rubber dealers presented various problems created by the speculators in futures trading and such matters have been brought to the notice of the Government and the Forward Marketing Commission, the Chairman clarified.