India's natural rubber production in October reached 86,300 mt, down 3% from 89,300 mt a year earlier, provisional data released late Wednesday by the local Rubber Board showed.
Heavy rains in Kerala, southwest India, reduced the tapping of rubber trees in October, the board said.
Due to the lower production, India increased its imports of natural rubber to 18,326 mt in October, more than double the 8,574 mt shipped to the country in the corresponding month last year.
The country imports natural rubber from Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.
