SRI LANKA - GOOD NEWS FOR RUBBER PLANTATION COMPANIES

21/02/2010 - The tight supply of rubber caused by a progressive decline in global production is expected to keep prices of the commodity in Malaysia firm next week, dealers said.

The market would also see active participation by major tyre makers with the return of Chinese buyers after the Lunar New Year holiday, one of them said.

Over the past week, the local market drew foreign enquiries including from Japan and South Korea.

The Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) official physical noon price for tyre-grade SMR 20 rose 21 sen to 1,036.5 sen per kg from 1,015.5 a week earlier while latex in bulk added 17 sen to 724.0 sen per kg from 707.0 sen per kg.

The unofficial closing price for SMR 20 went up 18 sen to 1,038 sen per kg from 1,020.0 sen per kg while latex in bulk gained 16.5 sen to 726 sen per kg from 709.5.

Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries Secretary-General Djoko Said Damardjati was reported to have said recently that global natural rubber supplies were tight and the outlook was bullish on favourable fundamentals.

A further drop in supply was anticipated in the coming months due to wintering while demand would continue to surge especially from China and Malaysia. -- Bernama

source - www.btimes.com.my