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RubberCrisis

16 DECEMBER 2014 - CHUM SAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: A worker hangs rubber sheets to dry before they are put into a smoker at a large rubber plantation near Chum Saeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up. PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ

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RubberCrisisContinues099.jpg
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© 2014 Jack Kurtz
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4608x3456 / 8.3MB
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Thailand (All)
16 DECEMBER 2014 - CHUM SAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: A worker hangs rubber sheets to dry before they are put into a smoker at a large rubber plantation near Chum Saeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up. PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
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