Lok Sabha Question No. 1337 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-11
Subject: Price of Natural Rubber
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri N K Premachandran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1337 ANSWERED ON 11/02/2025

## PRICE OF NATURAL RUBBER

## 1337.  SHRI N K PREMACHANDRAN:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मं त्री ) be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  Government  has  noticed  the  distress  caused  to  the  economy  of  Kerala consequent to the price fall of natural rubber;

(b) if so, the details of action taken by the Government;

(c) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  study  regarding  the  reason  for  cause  of decline in price of plantation crops in Kerala;

(d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  action  taken  by  the  Government  to  protect  the  farmers  in Kerala;

(e) whether the Government proposes to change the import policy so as to protect the price of plantation crops and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(f) whether the Government proposes to implement special scheme for providing production to the rubber farmers in Kerala, if so, the details thereof;

(g) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  impose  anti-dumping  duty  on  Natural  rubber imported; and

(h) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य और उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद)

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) & (b) The average price of natural  rubber  (RSS  4  grade)  in  Kottayam,  Kerala  during April to December, 2024-25 was Rs 202.04 per kg compared to an average price of Rs 151.88 per kg during the same period of FY 2023-24, an increase of 33.03%.

(c) & (d) The  prices  of  plantation  crops  such  as  tea,  natural  rubber,  coffee  &  cardamom (small)  in  Kerala  during  April  to  December,  2024-25  have  been  higher  than  the  prices  in  the corresponding  period  of  2023-24. During  the  period  April  to  December  2024-25,  the  average auction  price  of  tea  in  Cochin,  Kerala  increased  by  18.17%,  the  average  auction  price  of cardamom (small) in Kerala increased by 49.44%, the average farmgate prices  of arabica uncured  dry  processed  cherry  coffee  in  Kerala  increased  by  32.54%  and  the  average  farmgate

prices of robusta un-cured dry processed cherry coffee in Kerala increased by 55.99% compared to prices in the same period of 2023-24.

(e) The all  India  prices  of  plantation  crops  such  natural  rubber,  tea,  coffee  and  cardamom (small) during the period April to December, 2024-25 have been higher than the prices in the corresponding period of 2023-24. Considering the production, import and price trends of these commodities, currently no change in the import policy is under consideration.

(f) Government  of  India  through  Rubber  Board  is  implementing  the  scheme  'Sustainable and Inclusive Development of Natural Rubber Sector' for the benefit of natural rubber sector in the  country  including  Kerala.  Under  the  scheme,  Rubber  Board  provides  financial/technical assistance inter alia for planting/re-planting of natural rubber, rain guarding, promotion of good agricultural  practices  and  prevention  of  diseases  in  order  to  improve  the  productivity  and production of natural rubber.

(g) & (h) The  Government  considers  anti-dumping  measures  on  the  basis  of  application filed by domestic industry. Currently, there is no ongoing investigation or pending application requesting  for  trade  remedial  measures  on  Natural  Rubber  with  Directorate  General  of  Trade Remedies.

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