Malaysia’s natural rubber production increased 5.4 per cent from 52,174 tonnes in November 2018 to 54,992 tonnes in December 2018. However, year-on-year comparison showed the production dropped by 18.0 per cent.
Average price of Latex Concentrate was recorded at 377.00 sen per kilogramme, declined by 1.0 per cent whereas the average price of Standard Malaysian Rubber 20 (S.M.R. 20) was 518.18 sen per kilogramme, increased 1.7 per cent as compared to the average price in November 2018.
Malaysia’s natural rubber exports amounted 48,183 tonnes, shrank by 9.0 per cent as compared to 52,943 tonnes in November 2018. Main destination of exported natural rubber was to China with 46.5 per cent of the total exports in December 2018 followed by Germany (14.8%), Finland and U.S.A (4.6%) respectively and Iran (3.1%).
Domestic consumption of natural rubber in December 2018 was 41,823 tonnes against 42,971 tonnes during November 2018 with a decrease of 2.7 per cent. The rubber glove industry as the main consumer uses 76.2 per cent (31,886 tonnes) of the total domestic consumption of natural rubber.
Stock of natural rubber stood at 173,848 tonnes, gained by 2.3 per cent as compared to 169,939 tonnes at the end of November 2018.