Myanmar rubber production and export volume rapidly increasing

In recent days, U Khaing Myint, secretary of the Burmese Association of Rubber Growers and producers (MRPPA), said the country’s rubber production had grown rapidly this year, with exports expected to reach 300,000 tonnes, surpassing the government’s previous estimate of 260,000 tonnes. Mr Myint said the area of rubber plantations in Myanmar had been steadily increasing and would reach the maximum output in the coming years. Some 800,000 acres of land are currently active in the production of glue in Myanmar, which led to a 56% increase in rubber exports in 2017.

However, only 8% of locally produced rubber is used for domestic consumption, while the remaining rubber is used for export, of which 70% is exported to China.

Currently, Thailand remains the world’s largest producer of rubber, with an annual output of about 4.6 million tonnes, followed by Indonesia (annual output of 2.4 million tons) and Malaysia (annual output of 2.2 million tons). Myint said that international rubber demand is now rising, the government wants to promote Myanmar as a major exporter of rubber, its export strategy is to actively promote the export of rubber and rubber products, thereby boosting total exports and narrowing the trade deficit. The country is planning to establish a central market for trade in rubber at the seaport Centre in Mawlamyiang, southern.