Burma’s rubber production increases
- Written by Mizzima News
- Category: Investment
-
-
Burma’s rubber production reached 100,000 tons in the fiscal year 2011-12.
In 2005-06, rubber production was around 60,000 tons, local media reported on Wednesday.
The country's rubber export increased by 20,000 tons, reaching 70,000 tons in 2011-12 from 50,000 tons in 2005-06, fulfilling a 2011-12 target.
To further increase rubber output, a two-day workshop on rubber growing techniques will be launched in Rangoon on Sept. 15, using local and foreign experts.
In September last year, a similar workshop involving foreign rubber experts was held in Mawlamyine, the capital of Mon State.
Rubber production is increasing in Tanintharyi region, Kachin, Kayin and Shan states, where planting of rubber is being transformed from a small scale to a commercial scale, officials said.
Rubber, along with jute, cotton, edible crop, is a main crop in Burma.
Burma exports rubber mainly to China, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea and India.
On Aug. 2, Mizzima reported that the largest buyer of Burma’s rubber is China.
Presently, the price of rubber is a little low, although prices will increase toward the end of the year, said Khaing Myae, the secretary of the Myanmar Rubber Planters and Producers Association.
“Burma sells rubber to any country that wants to buy. Our association has arranged for any person inside the country to sell rubber to foreign countries,” said Khaing Myae.
Naing Lwin Tun, a rubber plantation owner in Mawlamyaing, said he anticipated rubber prices to be higher by December.
“Now, the price is not good, so we do not make much of a profit,” he said.
In Burma, rubber is grown year round except for Mandalay, Magway [Magwe] and northern Sagaing Region.
The Myanmar Rubber Industry Association said Burma has a total of 125 million acres of rubber plantations, mainly in Mon State, Tenasserim provinces, Karen, Bago, Rangoon and other regions, of which two-thirds of the cultivated area is in Mon State.
In rubber cultivation and production, Burma ranks ninth in the world. Thailand ranks No. 1 in exports.