KUCHING: The market price for rubber in the state is expected to increase to almost RM10 per kilogramme this year.
State Malaysian Rubber Board (LGM) director Ismail Ibrahim said the expected hike was due to the high demand from China, as well as the expected rise in world oil prices.
“The (expected) rubber price increase to almost RM10 per kilogramme will definitely help improve the income of smallholders,” he said when contacted yesterday.
From January to March this year, the average Standard Malaysia Rubber (SMR) 20 is expected to remain strong at RM8 per kilogramme versus RM5.64 per kilogramme registered last year.
Rubber price plummeted early last year to only RM4 per kilogramme before reaching RM8.36 per kilogramme in December.
