The natural rubber (NR) production of Malaysia, one of the world’s largest producers of natural rubber, fell 3.2% in September 2016 to 57,751 tonnes from 59,673 tonnes in August, according to the country’s Department of Statistics.
The NR output dropped 15.4% compared to September 2015, which recorded 68,260 tonnes.
The main contributor to the NR production figures is the smallholding sector, which accounted for 91.2% of output, said the department in a statement.
“The average monthly price of latex concentrate increased 17.15 sen per kg, or 3.9%, to 456.13 sen per kg from August 2016.
“Meanwhile, the SMR20 rose 35.98 sen per kg to 550.98 sen per kg,” it added.
Malaysia’s NR exports grew higher at 18.2% to 55,036 tonnes in September, compared to the previous month.
The five main destinations of Malaysia’s NR exports were China (51.1%), followed by Germany (13.8%), Iran (6.9%), the US (3.4%), and Finland (2.6%).
The department also said the level of natural rubber stocks at end-September slid 2.3% to 165,246 tonnes from 169,100 tonnes in August 2016.