Brazilian natural rubber production should reach 116,300 tons in 2006. This is the estimate of the coordinator of the Brazilian Natural Rubber Project, Heiko Rossmann, who participated in the 3rd National Natural Rubber Meeting, in São Paulo.
Currently, natural rubber production is 100,000 tons a year. However, annual consumption in the country is approximately 300,000 tons.
According to Rossmann, there are no official figures regarding the consumption of the product last year, but the volume is believed to have been between 302,000 and 315,000 tons. In 2004, there was a 10% increase when compared to the previous year.
Rossmann believes that the market is currently very favorable and has attracted new investment, although at levels below those necessary due to the growing national and international rubber demand.
According to Rossmann, the São Paulo State Association of Rubber Processors and Producers (Apabor) estimates that in 2030 the Brazilian demand should reach one million tons, three times more than the current demand.
In the world, Brazil answers to just 1.2% of production. In the first place is Thailand, with production of 3 million tons a year, then comes Indonesia, with 1.9 million and Malaysia, with 1.1 million.
Of the total volume of rubber traded in Brazil, 41% is the natural product. The cultivation of rubber trees in the country generates around 30,000 direct jobs.
In Brazil there area around 70 mills to process solid natural rubber and latex, not counting companies that supply machinery and equipment.
The 3rd National Natural Rubber Meeting took place on the first day of the International Fair of Technology, Machinery and Rubber Products (Expobor), the largest meeting in the sector in Latin America. In this edition, the fair includes the 11th Brazilian Rubber Technology Congress. Expobor ends Friday, May 12.
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