China is among the world's largest natural rubber importers and is Thailand's biggest buyer, purchasing 1.16 million tonnes from the kingdom of the 2.46 million total it imported in 2009.
Luckchai Kittipol, president of the Thai Rubber Association, said exporters are concerned about import restrictions.
China's continued robust economy, especially in the automobile industries, has driven demand for rubber the past few years. Demand for rubber was 7.74 million tonnes last year _ 3.47 million tonnes of para rubber and 4.27 million of synthetic rubber.
This year, rubber demand is forecast to reach 8.11 million tonnes, comprising 3.44 million of natural rubber and 4.67 million tonnes of synthetic rubber.
China's capacity in tyre manufacturing totals 654.6 million units while it exports tyres at a rate of 123.22 million radial units.
China expects to buy over 30% of Thailand's 2.85 million tonnes of rubber exports this year.
Mr Luckchai is still optimistic this year's rubber exports will meet the association's target of 200 billion baht in income.
In the first nine months of this year, the country shipped two million tonnes of rubber products worth 170 billion baht.
The association is attending the 10th International Exhibition on Rubber Technology to be held today through Saturday at the Exhibition Centre in Shanghai to explore trade opportunities and showcase technologies and innovation in rubber products from Thailand.
(Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/economics/208032/rubber-exporters-worried)
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