Indonesian NR output to rise in 2003

JAKARTA, Indonesia (Dec. 12)—Indonesian natural rubber production could rise anywhere from 3 to 5 percent next year, according to Far East news reports. Harvests from rehabilitated rubber trees, mostly in Sumatra, will create the increase as long as the weather remains normal, according to Suharto Honggokusumo, chairman of the Indonesian rubber association Gapkindo. Indonesia has targeted NR output at 1.6 million metric tons this year. It is bound under the rules of the International Rubber Co. Inc.—the rubber cartel it created with Malaysia and Thailand—to cut production 4 percent next year, but Suharto said the production boost wouldn't matter as long as the country honored its commitment to reduce shipments by 10 percent.