KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 13): Malaysia's natural rubber (NR) production fell 12.6% in September 2017 to 52,472 tonnes, from 60,058 tonnes a year earlier, according to the Statistics Department.

On a monthly basis, September's NR output dropped 14.1% from 61,095 tonnes in August, the department said in a statement today. The department said the smallholding sector is the main contributor of NR production, at more than 90% of total output.

"Average monthly price of latex concentrate and S.M.R.20 in September 2017 are at 552.31 sen per kilogramme and 660.50 sen per kilogramme respectively. The average monthly price of latex concentrate increased by 8.79 sen per kilogramme (1.6%), from August 2017. Meanwhile, the average monthly price of S.M.R.20 increased by 16.25 sen per kilogramme (2.5%).

"Exports of NR in September 2017 recorded at 45,144 tonnes, decreased by 18.3 per cent than the previous month. Five main destinations of NR exports were China, Germany, Iran, Finland and U.S.A. Meanwhile, domestic consumption of NR in September 2017 decreased by 3.6 per cent to 40,254 tonnes, from previous month. 73.5 per cent of domestic consumption was dominated by the rubber glove industry," the department said.

In August, NR output rose 2.6% and 20.5% respectively from a year earlier, according to the department.