Thailand's December rubber production cut nearly 30% by floods

Heavy monsoon rains disrupt tree tapping in world's largest latex-producing nation

A woman works in a rubber plantation in Yala province in southern Thailand. The Southeast Asian country is the world largest producer of natural rubber. Picture taken in Jan. 2017. © Reuters

APORNRATH PHOONPHONGPHIPHAT, Nikkei staff writer

December 26, 2024 16:51 JST

Updated on December 26, 2024 19:59 JST

BANGKOK -- Rubber output in Thailand, the world's biggest latex producer, is expected to fall sharply in December as heavy monsoon rains and the floods they caused in the southern region have disrupted tapping, traders and industry officials say.

Sukthat Tangviriyakul, deputy governor of the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT), said heavy rains hit 11 provinces in the southern region, which is a key rubber plantation area that accounts for around 80% of Thailand's total annual production of 4.8 million tonnes.