Brazil to produce 116,000 metric tons of rubber.

Brazilian natural rubber production should reach 116,300 metric tons in 2006. This is the estimate of the coordinator of the Brazilian Natural Rubber Project, Heiko Rossmann, who participated in the Third National Natural Rubber Meeting in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in May. Currently, natural rubber production is 100,000 metric tons per year. However, annual consumption in the country is approximately 300,000 metric tons.

According to Rossman, there are no official figures regarding the consumption of the product last year, but the volume is believed to have been between 302,000 and 315,000 metric tons. In 2004, there was a 10% increase when compared to the previous year. Rossman believes that the market is currently very favorable and has attracted new investment, although at levels below those necessary, due to the growing national and international rubber demand.

According to Rossman, the Sao Paulo Association of Rubber Processors and Producers estimates that in 2030 the Brazilian demand should reach one million metric tons, three times more than the current demand.

In the world, Brazil answers to just 1.2% of production. In first place is Thailand, with production of 3 million metric tons per year, followed by Indonesia with 1.9 million, and Malaysia with 1.1 million metric tons produced per year.