The production of natural rubber (NR) in Malaysia in December 2009 recorded a significant increase of 56.2 percent or 34,897 ton compared with the same month in 2008.

 

According to the latest release by the Malaysian Statistics Department here on Friday, the smallholdings sector was the main contributor to the production of NR at 94.1 percent while the balance was from the estate sector.

Year-on-year, rubber export surged 58.4 percent in Dec. 2009 with China being the main export destination. Other major export destinations included Germany, South Korea, Iran and the United States.

Meanwhile, the import of NR was 81,973 ton, registering a significant increase of 130.8 percent. The main type of imported rubber was latex concentrate.

On consumption side, domestic consumption of NR in Dec. 2009 was 41,572 ton, a jump of 15.2 percent. Major consumers of natural rubber included producers of rubber gloves, rubber thread as well as tyres and tubes.

The total consumption of these three industries made up 88.3 percent or 36,719 ton of the overall domestic consumption of NR in Malaysia.

At the end of Dec. 2009, NR stocks held in Malaysia was 161,725 ton, a marginal increase of 3.4 percent or 5,332 ton compared with the same month in 2009.