Natural Rubber – A World Commodity

Natural rubber is a world commodity that is highly sought after in manufacturing thousands of consumer products, including tires, medical gloves, bearings, and fenders. Though Malaysia was once the world leader in the production and export of natural rubber, we are now in the 7th place.

Although the Malaysian rubber plantation area is close to 1 million hectares, our production now struggles to beat the 700,000 tonnes mark due several major factors, including low rubber price, ageing smallholders, high cost of replanting, labour shortage and rubber farmers trapped in the lowincome bracket.

In addtition to the above, the rubber product industry is also facing serious challenges, such as low productivity, wastage and the commodity’s prolonged low price. The COVID-19 pandemic has also aggravated the situation, making it more vulnerable to economic impact.

Following this, a Task Force was set up to study the status and challenges of Malaysia’s natural rubber industry and recommend measures to revive this key economic sector. The recommendations will be forwarded to the Government to gather the response needed to ensure the industry remains viable and competitive.

At a glance

Chair: Academician Datuk Dr Aziz Sheikh Abdul Kadir FASc

Establishment: 2019

Infographic

• Five Stakeholder engagements organised in 2020:
  • FELDA – 6 August 2020 o RISDA – 24 August 2020
  • Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities – 25 August 2020 o FELCRA – 27 August 2020
  • FGV Rubber – 30 September 2020

• Five forums/webinars organised in 2020:
• • Workshop on Natural Rubber Systems and Climate Change (23-25 June 2020)
  • Webinar Maladies of Hevea (10 August 2020)
  • The Future of Natural Rubber Industry: Price and Sustainability Challenges (3rd September 2020
  • Webinar on Strategic R&D Towards Sustainable Natural Rubber Industry (20 October 2020)
  • Webinar on Current Status of Rubber Leaf Disease Outbreak, (4 December 2020)