[11 Nov] Malaysia 2009 Natural Rubber Consumption Likely Down 3.5%

Malaysia's domestic consumption of natural rubber in 2009 will likely be 3.5% lower at about 581,000 metric tons, Minister for Plantation Industries and Commodities Bernard G. Dompok said.
Consumption was estimated around 603,000 tons in 2008.
Consumption is expected to fall due to a decline in offtake by major rubber product sectors, particularly tires, tire tubes and general rubber goods, Dompok said.
He said overseas demand for these rubber products was also lower during the first half of 2009.
Natural rubber consumption is estimated around 41,000 tons in August, up from 34,376 tons in January.
Dompok said demand has been growing compared to earlier months of 2009 but is still expected to be lower on year.
Earlier, government estimates put Malaysia's January-August exports of rubber and rubber-based products at MYR10.34 billion, down 28% from MYR14.35 billion a year earlier.
Only rubber glove exports rose, aided by a rise in demand amid health concerns following the spread of swine flu worldwide.
Rubber glove exports rose 4.7% to MYR4.6 billion, while shipments of tires and tire tubes fell 53% to MYR308 million.

(Source: irco.biz)