Liberia Rubber Output Fell 16.5% in 2010, Cocoa Rises

Liberia’s rubber and diamond production declined in 2010 from the year before, while cocoa, coffee and gold output increased, according to the West African nation’s central bank.

Rubber fell 16.5 percent in 2010 to 52,495 metric tons, while diamonds slipped to 25,357 carats from 36,752 carats, the Monrovia-based Central Bank of Liberia said in an e-mailed report today. It blamed ageing trees for the decline in rubber output and poor mining technology on the slowdown of the gems.

Cocoa more than tripled to 17,256 tons, as displaced farmers returned to their villages, according to the e-mailed statement. Liberia neighbors Ivory Coast, the world’s top grower of the chocolate ingredient.

Gold production rose 52 percent to 25,708 ounces last year, while coffee increase to 528 tons from 130 tons in 2009, the bank said.

(Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-28/liberia-rubber-output-fell-16-5-in-2010-cocoa-rises-1-.html)