The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) is happy to release its Natural Rubber Trends and Statistics for February 2017.
Total production of natural rubber (NR) in ANRPC member countries is anticipated to increase by 4.2% in 2017, according to the revised outlook based on updated information available from the respective governments. While the supply is anticipated to rise in most of the countries in 2017, it is expected to fall marginally in Indonesia.
However, the production fell by 2.2%, year-over-year, during the first two months of 2017 mainly caused by the floods in South Thailand and an unusual early onset of leaf-shedding off-season observed across producing countries. The fall in supply during the first two months has coincided with a 3.3% rise in demand from the ANRPC region. The favourable supply-demand fundamental, along with a set of non-fundamental factors, continues supporting the market. While the demand-supply fundamental is likely to stay favourable during period from March to May 2017, prices can swing on either side in response to developments in crude oil sector, variations in currencies and flow of speculative funds.
This issue of Natural Rubber Trends and Statistics presents the figures of supply and demand for NR during the period up to February 2017 and the anticipated monthly figures for March to May 2017 and for the year 2017, covering all ANRPC Member Countries. It also attempts to provide a closer picture of current developments in natural rubber market and a short-term outlook.
On behalf of ANRPC, I would like to extend gratitude to statistical correspondents in Member Governments for their valuable support in gathering key inputs and to the esteemed users of the publication for the feedback being received.
Thank you.
Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Bich
Secretary-General
