The development of the Cambodian rubber industry during the past two years has been noticeably positive due to the substantial and continuous rise in prices of natural rubber. In 2007 and 2008, total harvested areas and natural rubber production surged by 30 per cent and 12 per cent, respectively. Additionally, the outcome of the divestment by the Government of Cambodia of its state-run rubber plantations has also been impressive. As of early 2009, the seven state-run plantations had already been privatized, discharging more weight of the public sector onto the private sector. However, the prospect for growth of the sector has appeared bleak since the last quarter of 2008 due to the global economic crisis, resulting in slow demand for natural and synthetic rubber across continents. The latest estimate by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is that Cambodia’s rubber cultivation in 2009 will slow by 61 per cent from 2008.

• English