362 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



[March 1, 1917. 



Review of the Crude Rubber Market, 



Copyright igjy. 



NEW YORK. 



EARLY in Fehruary the unfavorable shipping situation that 

 prevailed was followed by the announcement of Germany's 

 submarine blockade, causing grave uncertainty in the crude 

 rubber market. Spot stocks were undoubtedly low and the possi- 

 ble loss of rubber cargoes destined to America constituted a 

 formidable threat. Consequently when the diplomatic break with 

 Germany was reported, the market became very erratic and prices 

 fluctuated violently. On February 5, First latex and Ribbed 

 smoked sheet, spot, ranged from 86 to 88 cents, and April-June 

 positions for both grades were quoted from 81 to 83 cents. Amber 

 crepe, light, was 85 to 88 cents and Roll brown, spot, was 68 to 72 

 cents. Paras were also affected by the upward movement. Upriver 

 fine, spot, being quoted 82-84 cents ; Upriver coarse, S3 to 56 

 cents ; Caucho ball, 54-55 cents and Canieta, 38 to 40 cents. 



The market steadily advanced, supported by keen interest on 

 the part of the manufacturers, who had evidently become appre- 

 hensive. The volume of dealers' business was noticeably large 

 and general trading active. On February IS, First latex, spot, and 

 Ribbed smoked sheet were 'i\V> cents, with April-June positions 

 at 83J^ cents. Paras were tirm and in good demand, Upriver fine, 



spot, being quoted 86 cents. Islands line was very scarce. 



As time passed with no overt act on the part of Germany, and 

 rubber continued to arrive in considerable volume, the market 

 became easier and prices gradually declined. On February 27 

 market conditions were very quiet and prices varied widely, First 

 latex and Ribbed smoked sheets being quoted 84 to 86 cents and 

 Upriver line, 80 cents. 



According to statistics compiled by the Rubber Association of 

 America the United States imports for the year ending December 

 31, 1916, were 115,609 tons, divided as follows: Plantations, 

 85,531 tons ; Paras, 22,060 tons ; Africans, 3,591 tons ; Centrals, 

 1,768 tons; Guayule, 1,140 tons; Manicoba and the other sorts, 

 1,519 tons. 



LONDON. 



Early in the month there was a noticeable tendency on the part 

 of buyers to hold off, resulting in a generally quiet market tone. 

 First latex and Ribbed smoked sheet, spot, were quoted 75 cents 

 to buyers on February 5, with July-December positions at 72 

 cents. The, anxiety on the part of American buyers to provide 

 against submarine contingencies created an active market and 

 prices advanced. On February 15 the First latex and Ribbed 



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Graphic chart showing world's rubber production ; plantation, Brazilian and wild rubber production ; amount of rubber retained by the 

 United States and Great Britain; acreage of plantation rubber in bearing; average prices of plantation and Para rubber- yield 

 m pounds per acre and percentage of annual increase of plantation rubber acreage in bearing. ' 



