Scarcity of RSS 4 Grade Sheet Rubber in Internal Market: Prices up to ₹300/kg in Open Market

A severe shortage of RSS 4 Grade Sheet Rubber has occurred in the internal market. The official price of RSS 4 Grade at Kottayam and Kochi markets has risen to ₹296 per kilogram. Market experts suggest that prices may continue to rise in the coming days due to the continued lack of sufficient rubber supply. This price hike is attributed to reduced arrival of sheet rubber from North India due to adverse weather, the reluctance of farmers to immediately bring sheets to the market after the Minimum Support Price was raised to ₹250, and a significant number of farmers shifting from sheet production to latex, which has severely affected sheet availability.