The better performance of the production sector was due to the favourable weather conditions that prevailed during the month. However, the total production during April to September 1999, at 2,69,350 tonne witnessed a marginal growth of 1.9 per cent over the similar first half of last year.The production during August 1999 was 50,870 tonne and the culmulative production during April to August 1999 was 2,11,100 tonne. The provisional estimate of the production for September 1999 was 58,000 tonne, which has been surpassed while the estimated production during October 99 is expected to be 61,000 tonne.

Rubber goods manufacturing industries in the country consumed 53,460 tonne of natural rubberduring September 99 as against 52,115 tonne in July 99. The cumulative consumption during April to September 99 was 3,06,660 tonne. This shows an increase of 7.7 per cent fron the corresponding period of last year.

The impressive growth in the demand originated from the auto tyre sector, thanks to revival in the country's industrial sector in general and transport industry in particular. Compared to 2.7 per cent growth in general rubber goods sector, auto tyre sector exhibited better performance in the consumption by depicting a growth of 13 per cent on a year-on-year basis.