Backed by favourable climatic conditions and stronger domestic prices, India recorded a 3.4 per cent rise in natural rubber (NR) production during 2025-26, even as imports declined sharply.According to an official statement issued by the Rubber Board, total NR output in the country rose to 9.05 lakh tonnes from 8.75 lakh tonnes in the previous year. Consumption also increased by 1.2 per cent to 14.27 lakh tonnes from 14.10 lakh tonnes in 2024-25.While favourable climatic conditions were cited as the primary contributing factor, the Board also attributed the growth to measures such as rain guarding, self tapping, scientific farming practices, capacity building programmes and plant protection initiatives. The guaranteed price offered under the Rubber Production Incentive Scheme implemented by the Kerala government also encouraged growers in the State, it noted.“The upward trend in domestic natural rubber prices renewed growers’ interest. Prices remained relatively stable during 2025-26, narrowing the gap between domestic and international markets. RSS-4 prices touched a peak of ₹262 per kg on May 14, 2026,” the statement said.While overall demand rose by 1.2 per cent, the auto tyre sector, which accounts for nearly 64 per cent of the country’s natural rubber consumption, registered a decline of 4 per cent. However, the general rubber goods sector posted strong growth.Meanwhile, the 29th meeting of the Rubber Board Statistics Consultative Panel was held at the Rubber Board headquarters in Kottayam on Wednesday. Representatives of growers, Rubber Producers’ Societies, dealers, processors and tyre and non tyre manufacturers attended the meeting to review key sector indicators.The panel also noted that natural rubber imports declined by 16.7% to 4.59 lakh tonnes in 2025-26 from 5.51 lakh tonnes in the previous year. However, imports of compounded rubber under HS Code 4005 increased sharply to 3.49 lakh tonnes from 2.45 lakh tonnes.India currently ranks sixth among the world’s natural rubber producing countries. Published - May 27, 2026 07:44 pm IST