Malaysia exported 62,458 mt of natural rubber in August, down 0.4% from 62,723 mt in July and falling 22.4%, or 18,048 mt from a year ago, provisional data released Friday by the country's statistics department showed.
The top export destination was China, at 26,982 mt, which accounted for about 43% of Malaysia's total exports in August. Shipments to China were up 6.7% from June.
The bulk of Malaysia's exports were Standard Malaysian Rubber, at 59,335 mt or 95% of total shipments, of which tire grade SMR 20 accounted for 35,165 mt or 53.1% of SMR exports.
Malaysia's natural rubber production stood at 72,428 mt in August, down 14.9% from 85,321 mt in July and also 24.3% lower from a year ago.
Domestic natural rubber stocks were 129,645 mt at the end of August, up 3.8% from 123,956 mt at the end of July, but down 11.6% from a year ago.
Domestic consumption fell 6.2% month on month to 35,390 mt. The figure was, however, up 7% from the year before. The largest consumer was the rubber gloves industry at 25,111 mt, or 71%.
Malaysia's imports of natural rubber jumped 55% year on year to 77,409 mt, up 2% from July. The main source was Thailand accounting for 46.9%, or 36,305 mt of the imports.
