Natural Rubber Industries in Bangladesh

Natural rubber had been commercially planted and cultivated in Bangladesh since 1960s. The production volume of natural rubber has been gradually increasing. Chittagong area, Sylhet area, and Tangail area are main areas for planting and cultivating natural rubber. Bangladesh Forest Industries Development Corporation (BFIDC), a state-owned enterprise, has plantations in these areas, and Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board has a plantation in Chittagong area. Some private companies are also in charge of planting and cultivating natural rubber. Main business of these companies is the production of tea. They plant and cultivate natural rubber where lands are not suitable for the tea production in their plantation. There are small holders that have the land leasehold right from the government. Ribbed Smoked Sheet (RSS) is the main products, and mainly used for shoes industry and bicycle tire industries. BFIDC is trying to replant with high yield seeds. Some private companies are expanding their cultivating area. In the near future, the production volume would be increased rapidly in Bangladesh.