The new trees replaced almost all other cash crops. As the century closed, the industry's rise encouraged the British to expand their area of influence. Thousands of hectares were planted with rubber as demand helped fire the last phase of British colonization. Until the early 1990s, Malaysia remained the world's largest producer of rubber. Now that rubber plantations have become oil palm estates, housing or industrial zones, it is third, after Thailand and Indonesia.
Research offers further economic hopes.
One advance is rubber tree clones, which yield good latex and wood. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines .