Rubber Board lowered the outlook

Rubber Board has lowered the natural rubber production outlook by 90,000 tonnes, on account of an unprecedentedly intensive southwest monsoon and an abnormal leaf fall. While addressing the 172nd meeting of the Rubber Board, chairman Sheela Thomas said natural rubber production in the country during 2013-14 is likely to be 8,70,000 tonnes in place of the 9,60,000 tonnes projected earlier. While consumption of natural rubber for the year 2013-14 is projected at 9,45,000 tonnes. The projected closing stock of natural rubber in 2013-14 is 2,70,000 tonnes. Import and export of natural rubber during April-August 2013 were 1,28,465 tonnes and 2,319 tonnes respectively.