Thailand floods could cut rubber output by $140 million, authority says

By Thanadech Staporncharnchai and Orathai Sriring

BANGKOK (Reuters) -Severe floods in Thailand’s southern region could cut rubber production in the world’s largest producer by as much as 90,000 metric tons, worth 4.5 billion baht ($140 million), the national rubber authority said on Thursday.

Flood waters in the world’s top rubber producer and exporter have inundated 4.1 million rai (656,000 hectares) of planting areas, affecting more than 160,000 farmers, the Rubber Authority of Thailand’s chairman Perk Lertwangpong told Reuters.

An estimated 40,000 tons of rubber production has already been lost in nine provinces, Perk said.

“By the time the floodwaters recede and production can resume, the loss could potentially double,” he said, reaching as high as 90,000 tons.

“Some areas have be