Rubber Futures Ease

Rubber futures traded around 250 US cents per kilogram, slightly retreating from their highest level since early 2013, as profit-taking and weak tyre demand weighed on prices. Chinese tyre manufacturers extended production halts amid persistent losses, reducing demand for natural rubber as factories cut tyre output ahead of the holidays. Nevertheless, losses were limited by supply concerns, with Thailand’s natural rubber exports down 10% year-on-year to 1.62 million tonnes in the first eight months of 2026. Supply recovery outside China has also remained sluggish after prolonged rainfall disrupted major producing areas, while warehouse receipts for domestic rubber futures continued to decline and remained below year-ago levels. Rising oil prices also offered some support as they lifted synthetic rubber costs and boosted demand for natural rubber as a substitute.