ANALYSIS OF THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR NATURAL RUBBER PRODUCTION IN BRAZIL

The state of So Paulo is the largest producer of natural rubber in the country, accounting for 63.1% of national production.However, the crop is experiencing one of the biggest crises ever announced by the sector.There have been no new plantings in the state and production areas are falling year after year, due to the process of eradicating rubber plantations to replace other more profitable crops.With the social and environmental aspects generated by the crop in mind, and especially the strategic importance of this precious raw material, the aim of this paper is to discuss the crisis the sector is facing and propose alternatives so that the natural rubber sector in the state of So Paulo can become competitive by valuing its product, which meets all the environmental and social requirements demanded by the more demanding and conscious consumer market.