A plunge in demand from global automakers because of the pandemic has driven down the price of rubber. Millions of growers and tappers in Thailand, the world’s biggest natural rubber producer, are being squeezed by the need for fewer tyres and car parts. Switching to bendable poles will reduce deaths from motorcycle accidents, which account for one-third of road accidents but three-quarters of all fatalities, according to data from the Transport Ministry. Thailand typically produces about a third of the world’s natural rubber; Malaysia and Indonesia are the next-largest growers. Matching rubber supply and demand is tricky partly because rubber production is dominated by small farms, which often tap trees even when prices are low to earn more income.

Source: Bangkok Post June 20, 2020 08:03 UTC