India's widening natural rubber supply gap and rising input costs underscore the need for a comprehensive raw material security strategy, said Anay Gupta, President, All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA). India produced around 9.05 lakh tonnes of natural rubber in 2025-26 against consumption of 14.27 lakh tonnes.

Gupta called for an integrated policy covering natural and synthetic rubber, carbon black, process oils, speciality chemicals and other critical inputs. He stressed the need to improve plantation productivity, ensure predictable imports during shortages, support MSMEs with working capital and strengthen domestic manufacturing of critical synthetic grades. He also highlighted the potential of the Northeast as a major future source of natural rubber and called for greater focus on traceability, recycling and sustainability.