IRSG forecasts NR surplus

Singapore-basedInternational Rubber Study Group (IRSG) has forecast a surplus production of natural rubber (NR) in 2012. The group expects it to rise 7.8% to 11.8 million tonnes this year as consequence of new production available from trees planted in the mid-2000s. Global consumption, meanwhile, is expected to be at 11.7 million tonnes. Consequently, the deficit is estimated at 81,000 tonnes in 2012.