Domestic natural rubber prices have touched ₹300 per kg, nearly 62% higher than the November 2025 average of ₹186 per kg, says ATMA.
Chennai : Indian tyre manufacturers have urged the government to allow temporary duty-free imports of natural rubber as prices climb to Rs 300 per kg, with domestic supplies falling short even during the peak tapping season. India produced 905,000 tonnes of natural rubber in FY26, against consumption of 1.427 million tonnes, leaving a shortfall of about 37%, according to ATMA.
“The proposed arrangement may remain in place until market and supply conditions normalise,” ATMA said in a statement. A temporary duty-free quota, limited to the assessed shortfall, would help manufacturers maintain production while protecting the interests of domestic rubber growers,” said Arun Mammen, chairman of ATMA. ATMA said access to natural rubber at competitive prices was critical to sustaining domestic manufacturing and ensuring uninterrupted production.
The Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) has asked commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal to allow imports under a Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ), limited to the shortfall between domestic demand and supply.