Rubber

The history of Sri Lanka’s rubber plantation industry began way back in 1876 with the planting of 1,919 rubber seedlings – the origin of an uninterrupted and profitable supply chain. This agricultural commodity has since become of strategic significance with respect to the global rubber industry. The rubber industry generates employment for a vast number of people mainly from rural areas and is important in providing them with economic sustenance for their livelihood. Sri Lanka pride itself in manufacturing a number of value added rubber products by processing raw rubber. These range from Rubber Products made in Sri Lanka are internationally acclaimed and accepted for quality and durability. At present the country ranks among the world’s top ten largest producers and 7th largest exporter in natural rubber. Sri Lanka Rubber Industry consists of two closely independent sectors; the rubber plantation industry which producers raw rubber and high value new product innovations in finished rubber goods. Presently, Sri Lanka produces about 153,000 metric tons of natural rubber annually. (Source – Sri Lanka Export Development Board)