Date:15/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/15/stories/2007111561761900.htm

Business

Shortage of natural rubber hits industry

Special Correspondent

Production plan can go haywire

KOCHI: The All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA) has expressed concern over the problems being faced by the Indian Rubber Industry due to volatility in the price of natural rubber and its unavailability.

Though the industry is all set to be a major global player, next only to China by 2020, as predicted by the experts, the problems faced by industry could hinder its growth. Production plans too could go haywire, said a communication from the Kolkata-based association.

The rubber industry could be affected if remedial measures were not taken immediately, it said.

According to a study by the Rubber Research Institute of India, there has been an estimated loss of 50,000 MT of natural rubber during the first five months of the present fiscal year due to rubber tappers being infected with chikungunya. Incessant rain too made tapping difficult.