Raw material of strategic value, natural rubber is a critical factor for the national economy. As an indispensable item for the production of tires in a high-road society, it is no coincidence that natural rubber appears today as a strategic asset in the plans to protect the national sovereignty of several nations.
As one of the ten biggest consumers of natural rubber in the world, with more than 400 thousand tons consumed annually, Brazil needs public policies to stimulate the production chain. The alert is from the Paulista Association of Natural Rubber Producers and Manufacturers (Apabor), which is headquartered in São José do Rio Preto.
As in all major producing countries, rates of domestic consumption of natural rubber are increasing, it is easy to see the trend that more and more these countries will export less raw material (natural rubber) and more finished products, such as tires. “With the reduction of this export, it is a critical moment for Brazil to turn to the domestic producer market and develop strategies to leverage this production,” said the executive director of the entity, Diogo Esperante.
The State of São Paulo stands out with 60% of the production and 80% of the national beneficiation. This generates about ten thousand direct and indirect jobs in the State (totaling 20 thousand jobs in the country). Due to the new areas planted at the beginning of this decade, in 2020 there will be about 30 thousand direct vacancies in the field. “If we count the vacancies generated in industry and commerce, the productive chain of natural rubber generates about 150 thousand direct and indirect jobs,” says the leader.
“The implementation of public policies that protect the income of rubber tappers would leverage the economies of the producing regions as a whole. This is because 40% of the gross revenue is for the rubber tapper, which in turn consumes in the local commerce: it is a virtuous cycle for the whole economy “, emphasizes Esperante.
For the president of Apabor, Fabio Magrini, the most important is the dialogue: “We need rulers who are open to listen to the producer. Improving dialogue with the sector is the first step for new leaders to help the production chain. “
This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.