The global surplus for natural rubber (NR) may contract this year and the next , following a rising demand in the U.S. and in China, the biggest NR consumer, according to the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG). Production is set to outpace consumption by 179,000 metric tonnes this year and 153,000 tonnes in 2014, said senior economist Lekshmi Nair.
However, supplies in the first quarter will probably be lower than that of last year as sales is restricted under an ongoing programme enforced on seasonally low production period, which stretches from February through May.(RJA)
