North Sumatra is predicted to decrease by 30% -40% until June 2018

The production of rubber estates in North Sumatra is predicted to decrease by 30% -40% until June 2018.

General Secretary of the Rubber Association of Indonesia Rubber Company Edy Irwansyah said the disruption of rubber production in this plantation due to the second leaf fall in 2018.

"It has been reported from several rubber plantation centers in North Sumatra, a second leaf fall in 2018," he said in a written statement on Sunday (29/4/2018).

According to Edy, this second leaf fall occurred in Labuhan Batu, Asahan, and Simalungun. Furthermore, he explained that the first leaf fall that occurred in early 2018 is an annual cycle that occurs naturally because of the mechanisms of plant adaptation to environmental conditions that enter the dry season.

However, the second leaf fall that occurred since the beginning of April to this day is thought to be the effect of anomalous weather in which rainfall suddenly becomes high. This then stimulates the growth of the fungus.

"The deciduous leaves are not old leaves as in early 2018, but on the shoots of young leaves and leaves caused by a kind of fungus," added Edy.

Nevertheless, it still can not describe how far this condition will affect the rubber factory. The reason is, even if there is a shortage of supply from the garden, the plant can still operate by relying on supply from other provinces although there will be consequences of higher prices.