Thailand’s December rubber production cut nearly 30% by floods

Thailand's December rubber production cut nearly 30% by floods Thailand's December rubber production cut nearly 30% by floods

BANGKOK — Rubber output in Thailand, the world’s biggest latex producer, is expected to fall sharply in December as heavy monsoon rains and the floods they caused in the southern region have disrupted tapping, traders and industry officials say.

Sukthat Tangviriyakul, deputy governor of the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT), said heavy rains hit 11 provinces in the southern region, which is a key rubber plantation area that accounts for around 80% of Thailand’s total annual production of 4.8 million tonnes.