OFFICIAL DAILY F.O.B. SMR PHYSICAL PRICES AT 12.00 NOON ON 24/07/2018

Centrifuged Latex: Local Price(ISO 2004)
in Sen/Kg(Wet)

Note: Effective from 2 January 2014, MRB will publish only the sellers’ offer price.

Farmgate Prices on 24/07/2018
in Sen/Kg

Natural rubber production dips to 6.94 lakh tonnes in

2017-18

Natural rubber production declined to 6.94 lakh tonnes in 2017-18 from 7.74 lakh tonnes in 2013-14, Parliament was informed today.

On the other hand, consumption of natural rubber increased from 9.81 lakh tonnes in 2013-14 to 11.11 lakh tonnes in 2017-18, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry C R Chaudhary said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

He also said that natural rubber imports increased from 3.60 lakh tonnes in 2013-14 to 4.69 lakh tonnes in 2017-18.

“Natural rubber production forecast for 2017-18 was 800,000 tonnes. However, the production forecast for 2018-19 is 730,000 tonnes which is 70,000 tonnes lower than 2017-18,” he said.

He added that these projections are made on the basis of matured rubber area under tapping, productivity and production trend during the near past which are determined mainly by price of rubber.

Myanmar: Rubber exports rise, but production yield

still not optimal

Myanmar is expected to export over 150,000 tonnes of rubber this fiscal year on the back of rising international demand and higher domestic production levels, U Khaing Myint, secretary of Myanmar Rubber Planters and Producers’ Association, told The Myanmar Times.

Around 140,000 tonnes of rubber was exported in the previous fiscal year.

Currently, there are more than 750,000 acres of rubber plantations in the country Rubber trees are grown mainly in Mon State, Tanintharyi Region, Karen State, Yangon and Bago, according to the Myanmar Rubber Planters and Producers’ Association (MRPPA).

Myanmar produces RSS3, RSS1- rubber and mostly exports RSS3. Around 70 percent of locally produced rubber is exported to China while the remaining is exported to Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea, India and Japan, according to the MRPPA.

The government pledges to support 16,000 baht per rai, capped at 10 rai per family for farmers who join the scheme.

But eligible farmers have to grow their rubber trees on land for which they possess legitimate title deeds.

The scheme focuses on less suitable areas for growing rubber trees, such as rice farmland and low-lying areas.

The ministry wants to start the scheme by early next month, said Mr Somkid, adding that reducing rubber plantation area is part of ongoing agriculture reform efforts.

The ministry reported Monday to Mr Somkid that government efforts to encourage rubber farmers to grow other crops has seen rubber plantation area dip by 400,000 rai.

Despite the reduction, rubber prices have not improved.

Thailand’s rubber plantation area is now estimated at 18-20 million rai.

In a related development, the ministry was Monday also told to cut rice farmland by 2 million rai for the 2018/2019 crop, as the farmland for off-season rice in the 2018/2019 season is expected to top 10.22 million rai.

The government will support 2,000 baht per rai for farmers who grow other crops instead of rice.

Mr Somkid said the ministry should also entice farmers to grow crops apart from maize and tapioca.

“Marketing plans are very important to reducing risk, and agriculture-related ministries are required to implement more effective marketing and production planning,” he said.

Mr Somkid tasked the Agriculture Ministry and Commerce Ministry to hold talks on advanced production issues and appropriate buying prices with private sector players like the Thai Feed Mill Association.

He has also asked the Commerce Ministry to help bridge the gap between high fruit prices in Bangkok and other big cities but low income for farmers.

The ministry should implement better management for both the domestic and export markets, said Mr Somkid.

He also said the Bank of Thailand and the Securities and Exchange Commission should be asked to broaden efforts on supporting agricultural cooperatives.