Indonesian rubber exports increase by 5.3%.(TRADE)

Indonesian exports of natural rubber have steadily increased in the past four years both in volume and value. Exports have increased by 5.3% annually on the average. In 2000, exports totaled only 1.3 million tons but in 2003, exports rose to 1.5 million tons after declining slightly in 2002 to 1.4 million tons.

In the first 10 months of 2004, exports already reached 1.7 million tons or the target level set for the whole of the year. Therefore, exports in the whole of 2004 are predicted to reach 1.85 million tons. If the price stays at the present level of US$ 1,100--US$