fr.euronews.com
Natural Rubber Shortage Projected for 2025 Due to Climate Change and Shifting Agricultural Practices
Global natural rubber production is projected to fall short of demand in 2025 due to adverse weather conditions (heat waves, floods, typhoons) in key producing countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, coupled with a shift toward more lucrative crops and reduced cultivation area; this shortfall, despite a projected 0.3% production increase, contrasts with a 1.8% demand rise.
- What are the primary factors contributing to the projected shortfall in natural rubber production in 2025?
- Natural rubber production is expected to fall short of demand for the fifth consecutive year in 2025, with global production only increasing by 0.3% while demand rises by 1.8%. This shortage is primarily due to several factors, including adverse weather conditions and the shift towards more profitable crops like palm oil.
- How have extreme weather events and the shift to other crops impacted natural rubber production in key producing countries?
- The gap between supply and demand is driven by several years of production shortfalls in key countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia, resulting from extreme weather events like heat waves, floods, and typhoons. These events damage rubber trees and hinder growth, directly impacting latex production. The decrease in total rubber cultivation area in Thailand between 2017 and 2022 (4.5%) further exacerbates this issue.
- Could agroforestry techniques offer a viable solution to improve natural rubber production and sustainability in the face of climate change and economic pressures?
- Looking ahead, the future of natural rubber production hinges on adapting to climate change and promoting sustainable practices. Agroforestry, which integrates trees and crops on the same land, offers a potential solution by improving soil health, enhancing resilience to extreme weather, and diversifying farmers' income streams. Initiatives like the GPSNR's farmer training program in Thailand highlight the growing focus on sustainable solutions to address the production deficit.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the decline in rubber production primarily as a consequence of climate change and poor agricultural practices. While these are significant factors, the framing might downplay other contributing elements. The headline (if any) and introduction would heavily influence this perception.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and objective, although phrases like "extremely challenging weather conditions" and "significantly damaged" could be considered slightly loaded. More neutral alternatives could be "adverse weather conditions" and "substantially damaged.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the impact of climate change and agricultural practices on rubber production, but it omits discussion of potential economic factors influencing supply and demand, such as global economic fluctuations or changes in consumer demand for rubber products. Additionally, the article doesn't explore the role of government policies or regulations in affecting rubber production.
False Dichotomy
The article presents agroforestry as a primary solution to the challenges in rubber production without fully exploring other potential solutions or acknowledging the complexities of implementing agroforestry on a large scale. It doesn't discuss the potential drawbacks or limitations of this approach.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the challenges in natural rubber production, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices like agroforestry to ensure long-term supply and reduce reliance on unsustainable methods. Agroforestry improves soil health, boosts productivity, and enhances resilience to climate change, aligning with responsible consumption and production principles. The Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) initiative to train farmers in agroforestry further strengthens this connection.