**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to concerns regarding rubber prices and imports, as addressed in Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3764 on August 12, 2025. The query addressed the impact of low rubber prices on Indian rubber farmers, the reasons for the price decline, natural rubber import details, and potential plans for a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for rubber.
The government acknowledges concerns about rubber prices. Data indicates that the average price of natural Rubber RSS 4 grade in Kottayam, Kerala, increased from ₹155.72 per kg in 2023-24 to ₹199.85 per kg in 2024-25, representing a 28.33% increase.
The import quantities of natural rubber into India for the past three years are as follows:
* 2022-2023: 528,677 tonnes
* 2023-2024: 492,682 tonnes
* 2024-2025: 550,918 tonnes
Regarding the implementation of a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for rubber, the government currently fixes MSPs for 22 mandated agricultural crops based on the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) recommendations, considering input from State Governments and Central Ministries/Departments. These 22 crops include 14 Kharif crops (paddy, jowar, bajra, maize, ragi, tur/arhar, moong, urad, groundnut, sunflower seed, soyabean, sesamum, nigerseed, cotton), 6 Rabi crops (wheat, barley, gram, lentil/masur, rapeseed/mustard, safflower), and 2 commercial crops (jute and copra). Rubber is not currently included in the list of crops for which MSP is provided.
Key Entities Referenced
SHRI SHAFI PARAMBIL: Member of Lok Sabha who asked the unstarred question regarding rubber import.
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY: The Government Ministry responsible for commerce and industry, answering the question.
SHRI JITIN PRASADA: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry who provided the answer to the question.
Rubber: The main commodity of interest, specifically natural rubber, regarding its import and price.
Kottayam, Kerala: Location where the average price of natural Rubber RSS 4 grade is monitored.
Minimum Support Prices MSP: A government intervention mechanism to support farmers by setting a minimum price for certain crops.
Commission for Agricultural Costs prices CACP: The body that makes recommendations to the government regarding the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for agricultural crops.
Natural Rubber RSS 4 grade: Specific type/grade of natural rubber whose price is tracked.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3764
ANSWERED ON 12/08/2025
RUBBER IMPORT
3764. SHRI SHAFI PARAMBIL
Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री) be pleased
to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the low price of rubber that affects a large number
of rubber farmers in the country, if so, the details thereof;
(b) the reasons for the consistent decline in the price of rubber in the country;
(c) the details of the natural rubber imported to India for the last three years;
(d) whether the Government has any plan to announce MSP for the farmers; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्यमंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद)
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI JITIN PRASADA)
(a) & (b) The average price of natural Rubber (RSS 4 grade) in Kottayam, Kerala during
the year 2024-25 was ₹199.85 per kg as compared to an average price of ₹155.72 per
kg during 2023-24, an increase of 28.33 %.
(c) The quantity of natural rubber imported into India for the last three years is provided
below:
Import of Natural Rubber
Year Quantity (Tonne)
2022 - 2023 528,677
2023 - 2024 492,682
2024 -2025 550,918
(d) & (e) The Government fixes Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 22 mandated
agricultural crops on the basis of the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural
Costs & prices (CACP) after considering the views of State Governments and Central
Ministries/Departments concerned. The 22 mandated crops include 14 Kharif crops viz.,
paddy, jowar, bajra, maize, ragi, tur(arhar), moong, urad, groundnut, sunflower seed,
soyabean, sesamum, nigerseed, cotton, and 6 Rabi crops viz., wheat, barley, gram, lentil
(masur), rapeseed/mustard, safflower and two commercial crops viz., jute and copra.
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