58 



[Feb. 1907. 



The world's supply of rubber in 1906 we estimate nearly 65,000 tons, and 

 consumption almost as much. Planting has greatly increased and will produce 

 much more in the near future. We estimate planted and planting, (but some mixed 

 with tea and cocoa and coffee). 



Ceylon ... ... ... ,;. 100,000 acres 



Malaya, Malacca, Sumatra, &c. ... 90,000 „ 



Borneo ... ... ... ' ... 12,000 „ 



Java ... ••• ... ... - 20,000 „ 



Mexico has some large plantations, also Nicargua and Honduras, and some 

 in Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru. India has begun, say 10 to 20,000 acres 

 planting, Burmah and Mergui begining : the Phillipines, Samoa, Hawaii and other 

 Pacific Isles, and Seychelles and West Coast Africa will add to the supply ; also the 

 West Indies. In the Congo and German West Africa plantations are in progress. 

 We repeat our caution to plaut, where practicable, Hevea Braziliensis as hard clean 

 rubber sells best. The supply from the Amazonas (Brazil) shows no sign of 

 reduction ; Brazil exported 38,000 tons. Stimlus is given to the production of other 

 rubbers in Brazil, such as Manicoba, etc., by various companies working with large 

 capital, and supplies this year have considerably increased. Large quantities of 

 Guayule from Mexico have been disposed of in America and Europe. English 

 manufacturers have as yet scarcely used it, not being attracted by it, but are 

 making further experiments. There has been a sustained demand throughout the 

 year, and manufacturers have been busy. Motor vehicles of all descriptions have 

 largely increased tyre makers' demands. 



The world's supply of nearly 65,000 tons has probably nearly all gone into 

 consumption. But the bull movement of the first four months was not successful. 

 We close with a decline for the 12 months on fine grades of Para, Bolivian and 

 Peru of 2d per lb., but a penny advance on scrappy negrohead owing to scarcity, 

 and on Caucho ball (which has been in great demand for "tyres" and has been 

 "oversold" the last few months) a rise of 5d per lb., following the advance of 

 6d in 1905. The supply of mediums has rather increased, but not from West Coast 

 Africa, which totals about 17,200 tons, against 17,500 tons in 1905. 



Visible Supply 1st January, 1907. See below for complete Statistics. 



1907. 1906. 1905. 1904. 1903. 

 Of Para and Peruvian ... tons 2,162 2,874 2,666 3,262 3,365 



Including America ... 1,160 1,600 1,830 1,430 1,365 



Brazil and Bolivia (from the 



Amazonas) ... ... tons 34,520 34,420 30,385 31,070 



Including Peruvian and Caucho 



via Iquitos and Manaos ... ... „ 6,250 6,100 4,390 4,050 



The fine has been generally well selected and should be cut and carefully 

 sorted before shipment- The Caucho ball has been good and slab fair. Bolivia 

 has sent larger supplies, but of Mollendo rather less. Venezuela via the Orinoco 

 increased and sold high. Ceara and Manicoba increased and sold cheaper, especially 

 poor quality of the latter (Plantation down to 4s Id). Of Pernambuco and Assare 

 small lots sold well- Mangabeira increased and of nicer quality. Mattogrosso 

 prices declined for virgin about 3d. Central America and Mexico supplies do not 

 increase and prices of good Colombian, Ecudaor, Nicaragua, show an advance of 

 4d per lb. (in sympathy Avith the rise of Caucho ball from the Amazonas). Plan- 

 tation lots from the Cauca, Carthagena, and Tumaco have brought good prices; 

 much above any previous year. 



1906, 1905. 1904. 1903. 



West Coast African ... (total) 17,200 tons 17,500 tons 18,000 tons 15,000 tons 

 including Benguela and Mossa- 



medes 

 Loanda 



Congo, French Congo and Soudan 

 3% (dearer) 



1,450 „ 

 700 „ 



1,650 „ 

 800 ,, 



1,600 „ 

 950 „ 



1,450 „ 

 980 „ 



5,900 „ 



5,650 



5,800 „ 



5,600 „ 



