Commercial planting of NR in India began in 1902 at Thattekad on the banks of Periyar river in Kerala. India has a rubber planted area of 850,000 hectare spread over several states. The states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu (rubber cultivation limited to Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu) are referred to as traditional regions and the rest of the rubber growing states are classified as non-traditional regions. Traditional regions account for 67.2% of rubber planted area (Kerala: 64.7%; Tamil Nadu: 2.5%). North Eastern states account for 25.6% of rubber planted area (Tripura: 11.5%, Assam: 7.7% and the rest 6.4%). Other non-traditional regions account for 7.2% of rubber planted area (Karnataka: 6.0% and the rest 1.2%). India has a potential production of around one million tonne of NR annually. NR is predominantly a smallholder crop in India accounting for 92% of planted area and 92% of rubber production. NR production during 2022 was 843,000 tonne.
In India, NR is mainly processed as RSS grades (64.5 %). The rest is accounted by block rubber (20.6%), latex (12.5 %) and other forms (2.5%). There are 8479 rubber dealers and 109 processors. Futures trading in NR was introduced in 2003. Currently, rubber is traded at Indian Commodity Exchange (ICEX) platform.
‘mRube’, the e-trade platform is hosted with an objective of improving the efficacy of domestic supply chain for Natural Rubber. The e-trade platform is contemplated to complement the existing trade system by bringing in more transparency and market visibility. It is also expected that e-trade could bring more business to the existing rubber dealers and processors by reaching out to new sellers/buyers, even in far-off places. Besides trade, e-trade platform is conceptualized to offer other value added services like quality assaying, legalized trade contracts, payment gateway system etc. This platform is a comprehensive solution utilizing ICT tools, web applications, cloud hosting, cloud databases, web services, mobile apps, wireless technologies etc. for providing a common solution to market all forms of NR in the country through online medium. Link: https://www.mrube.in/en-US/
Rubber Board is organizing Virtual Trade Fair for Rubber and Rubber Products. The Virtual Trade Fair can be accessed from the weblink:https://vtf.rubberboard.gov.in/rubberboard, which is also available on the website of the Rubber Board http://www.rubberboard.gov.in/ under the section ‘Quick Links’. Interested importers can register on the website using a valid email ID for access to the virtual trade fair.
India is the second largest NR consuming country in the world with 1.33 million tonnes in 2022. There are 4595 rubber product manufacturing units producing a wide range of products such as auto tyres & tubes, cycle tyres, belts and beltings, hoses, gloves, latex foam, footwear etc. Around 70% of NR consumption is in auto tyres and tubes sector. During 2022-23, the NR:SR ratio of consumption in India is 64:36.
As consumption of NR exceeds domestic production, India is a net importer of NR. But NR is exported whenever there is a price advantage. Branded rubber under the label “Indian Natural Rubber” is promoted to ensure quality of exported rubber. Details on Indian NR market and prices can be accessed from the websitewww.indiannaturalrubber.com
Link for viewing updated prices:www.rubberboard.gov.in
Link for updated statistics:www.rubberboard.gov.in/rbfilereader?fileid=952
India is also a producer of Synthetic Rubber (SR) with a production of 464,000 tonne in 2022. Consumption of SR in 2022 was 755,000 tonne. India imported 342,000 tonne of SR in 2022. Production (indigenous purchase) and consumption of Reclaimed Rubber were 158,365 tonne and 157,860 tonne respectively during 2022.
India is a major exporter of rubber products with value of exports around USD 5,000 million annually. .Major products exported are auto tyres, tubes, flaps, sheets, footwear, gaskets, washers, seals, hoses, conveyor, transmission and V belts, Latex & Dipped & Medical including Contraceptives, Tyre retread, etc. India imports rubber products worth USD 1,500 million annually.
The Rubber Board is the nationally designated agency to promote rubber industry in the country. The Board was constituted under the Rubber (Production & Marketing) Act 1947 and functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. The headquarters of the Board is located at Kottayam in Kerala state.
The Board has an extension network covering all rubber growing areas to provide extension and advisory services to growers. Grower forums promoted by the Board such as Rubber Producers Societies (RPS), Self Help Groups and RPS companies play a key role in extension and advisory services. Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII) established in 1955 is an international centre of excellence in rubber research. The RRII is based at Kottayam, Kerala and has research stations in rubber growing areas. RRII publishes a rubber research journal “Rubber Science”. National Institute for Rubber Training (NIRT) under the Board organises domestic and international training programmes covering production and processing of NR and product manufacturing.
The Board acts also as an interface for interactions and networking among different segments of rubber industry value chain in India. Details of the Board and its activities are available in www.rubberboard.gov.in
India is a member of the two intergovernmental rubber organisations, the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) and the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG). Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII) is a member of the International Rubber Research and Development Board (IRRDB).
Extension and advisory services
Image above: View of a Rubber Producers Society (RPS) in a rubber growing village.
Image above: Field based training programme for farmer groups in Kerala (traditional region)
Image above: Field based training programme for a farmer group in North East (non-traditional region)
Image above: View of a Group Processing Centre under a RPS
Image above: Kudumbashree Labour Group with Board officials in a rubber plantation.
Around 300 promising high yielding hybrid clones under pipeline.
Image above: GM Rubber Plants developed by RRII, Rubber Board
Image above: Inauguration of Field Planting of GM Rubber in Assam
Landslide zonation maps of rubber plantations of Kerala and Meghalaya with good agricultural practices were released.
Advanced Centre for Rubber Technology – Developed several products and cost-effective formulations and protocols and transfers technology to the stakeholders.
Image above: REACH Compliance Laboratory