Development of the PNG rubber industry

Abstract

Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) was first planted commercially in Papua New Guinea during the first decade of this century, and as an industry was slow to develop - in 1939 production from the estates sector amounted to only 1300 tonnes. The estates were somewhat
neglected during World War II, but after the end of the war plantings resumed and expanded to a peak of 14300 hectares in the early '60s, with production reaching 6000 tonnes by 1969-70.