Production of natural rubber (NR) in August 2008 was recorded at 103,767 tonnes, an increase of 0.8% (778 tonnes) when compared with July 2008. Year-on-year, production recorded a decrease of 6.8%. The smallholding sector contributed 94.7% of total production while the estate sector, the remaining 5.3%.

Total production in the first seven months of 2008 amounted to 769,277 tonnes, a decrease of 5.4% when compared with the corresponding period in 2007.

Exports of Malaysian NR in August 2008 increased 0.3% to 82,721 tonnes when compared with July 2008. However the exports decreased by 20.5% when compared with the same month in 2007. Standard Malaysian Rubber (S.M.R.) constituted 95.0% of total exports. Of the total S.M.R. exported, S.M.R. 10 accounted the highest, 40.7%.

During the period January - August 2008, exports of natural rubber was mainly to the People¡¯s Republic of China 231,267 tonnes, Federal Republic of Germany 91,380 tonnes, U.S.A. 42,406 tonnes, REP. Of Korea 37,766, France 25,090, Brazil 24,555 tonnes and Islamic Republic of Iran 23,453 tonnes. Total exports to these seven countries accounted for 70.9% of the overall NR exports.

In August 2008, imports of NR was 36,857 tonnes, a decrease of 4.8% when compared with the previous month. Imports recorded a decrease of 32.5% compared with the same month last year. The main type of rubber imported was latex concentrate which accounted for 66.7% of total imports during reference month.

During the period January - August 2008, NR was imported mainly from Thailand 74.5%, Republic of Indonesia 8.9%, Myanmar 3.7% and India 3.7%. Total imports from these four countries accounted for 90.9% of the overall NR imports.

Domestic consumption of NR in August 2008 was 37,666 tonnes, decreased 0.2% when compared to July 2008. Compared with the same month in 2007, domestic consumption also decreased 0.3%.

The major NR consuming industries for the period January ¨C August 2008 were rubber gloves 63.9%, rubber thread 11.8% and tyre & tubes 11.5%. The total consumption of these three industries constituted 87.2% of the overall domestic consumption of NR. tion of NR.

At the end of August 2008, NR stock held was 132,853 tonnes, a increase of 3.0% compared to the level of stocks held in July 2008. Stocks held decreased by 17.1% compared to that of the same month last year.

In August 2008, the average monthly price of latex concentrate was 613.76 cent, decreased 11.3% compared to July 2008. The average price of latex in August 2008 was 31.4% higher when compared with August 2007.

The price of S.M.R. 20 in August 2008 was 962.24 cents, decreased 5.9% compared to July 2008. When compared to the same month last year, the price of S.M.R. 20 increased 34.2%

The total number of workers engaged in rubber estates in August 2008 was 11,232 persons, with number of paid employees was 11,228 persons and total salaries & wages paid amounting to RM10.8 million. Month-on-month, the total number of workers engaged increased by 46 persons, whilst year-on-year, this number dropped by 348 persons or 3.0%.

In August 2008, the ratio of total production to total area tapped was 128.6 kilogram per hectare (kg/ha). Compared with July 2008, productivity shown decrease 1.1%. Year-on-year, productivity recorded a decreased of 15.5%.