Rubber Slumps to February Lows

2026-03-20 12:05 By Joana Ferreira 1 min. read

Rubber prices dropped below 190 US cents per kilogram, their weakest since early February, pressured by a stronger dollar and fading supply concerns.

Attention now turns to the April–May harvest peak, which could ease downward momentum as wintering ends and tapping restarts.

Yet, demand remains resilient, backed by strong Asian auto production.

Geely, for instance, targets 640,000 overseas vehicle sales in 2026, a 50% year-on-year jump.

Meanwhile, central banks globally flagged risks from soaring oil prices tied to the Middle East conflict, which may indirectly support rubber: since synthetic rubber is petroleum-derived, rising crude costs could lift input prices, providing a floor for the market.



News Stream
Rubber Slumps to February Lows
Rubber prices dropped below 190 US cents per kilogram, their weakest since early February, pressured by a stronger dollar and fading supply concerns. Attention now turns to the April–May harvest peak, which could ease downward momentum as wintering ends and tapping restarts. Yet, demand remains resilient, backed by strong Asian auto production. Geely, for instance, targets 640,000 overseas vehicle sales in 2026, a 50% year-on-year jump. Meanwhile, central banks globally flagged risks from soaring oil prices tied to the Middle East conflict, which may indirectly support rubber: since synthetic rubber is petroleum-derived, rising crude costs could lift input prices, providing a floor for the market.
2026-03-20
Rubber Futures Hover at 1-Week Lows
Rubber futures traded around 195 US cents per kilogram, hovering near the lowest in over a week, as concerns about the Middle East conflict’s impact on demand offset support from higher oil prices and tight supply. Industries such as tire manufacturing could face higher input costs due to disrupted supply chains, potentially reducing demand for rubber-intensive products. Meanwhile, the supply outlook remained constrained by seasonal reduced output. Major producers in Southeast Asia are currently in their low-production “wintering” season, which runs from February to May, before harvesting typically ramps into late summer.
2026-03-17
Rubber Futures at Over 1-Week High
Rubber futures traded near 200 US cents per kilogram, the highest since early March, partly supported by rising oil prices amid increased tensions in the Middle East, which makes synthetic alternatives less attractive. Supply concerns also exerted upward pressure, as Southeast Asia remains in its low-production “wintering” season and excess rainfall in Thailand and Indonesia has further constrained raw-material availability. Meanwhile, stronger-than-expected inflation data from top buyer China supported demand prospects, but concerns over a slowing global economy amid a prolonged war in Iran constrained the outlook.
2026-03-09