India's rubber exports are likely to fall 55 percent in 2007/08 due to a drop in production and rise in domestic consumption, a senior official with the state-run Rubber Board said.

The country is likely to export 25,500 tonnes, compared with 56,545 tonnes a year ago, the official, who did not want to be identified, told a news agency.

The board had earlier forecast exports of 70,000 tonnes.

"Viral fever had affected the tappers from June-September and abnormal leaf fall was also there due to heavy rains, which reduced the production," he said.

Heavy rains in Kerala, the main rubber growing region, had led to leaf fall and also affected tapping. The state, which accounts for 90 percent of the country's total rubber output, was also hit by Chikungunya, a mosquito-spread viral fever.

Total output in 2007/08 is likely to fall 4 percent to 819,000 tonnes, from 852,895 tonnes a year ago. The board had earlier forecast an output of 874,000 tonnes.

Lower production and rising consumption also prompted the board to import the commodity more than previously expected, the official said.

Imports for 2007/08 are now likely to be 80,000 tonnes from an earlier forecast of 60,000 tonnes, he said.

The country had imported 89,700 tonnes the previous year.

Mr. Neeraj Sharma

Neeraj Electronics

CEO, Neeraj Electronics
Jorhat, India

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