By Supunnabul Suwannakij
Feb. 1 — China’s rubber imports surged 18% last year to 3.37m t, Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries says in monthly bulletin.
* China rubber imports may add 0.9% this year to 3.4m t
* Rubber output from key growers estimated at 300,000 t in Jan., 232,000 t in Feb., excluding data from Thailand and Indonesia
* Rubber output from key growers was 8.33m t in 2012 vs. revised 10.32m t in 2011
* 2012 estimates excludes data from Thailand during Nov., Dec. and from Indonesia during June to Dec.
* Malaysia’s rubber output may rise 6.5% to 980,000 t in 2013 * India’s rubber output may rise 3.8% to 950,000 t in 2013 * Malaysia’s rubber exports may gain 0.5% to 1.33m tons this year, after rising 5.3% to 1.32m t
* Vietnam’s rubber exports may drop 2.2% to 1m t this year after jumping 25% last year to 1.02m t
(Source: Bloomberg)
