Rubber Futures Retreat

2026-04-14 07:12 By Kyrie Dichosa 1 min. read

Rubber futures fell to around 202 US cents per kilogram in mid-April, retreating from 2017 highs, weighed down by expectations of rising supply as the tapping season resumed.

Additional pressure came from easing oil prices, driven by prospects of renewed US–Iran negotiations, which lowered synthetic rubber production costs and reduced the relative attractiveness of natural rubber.

However, losses were partly cushioned by supply-side disruptions in China, where tapping in the key producing region of Hainan was delayed by a heat wave, temporarily tightening availability.

On the demand side, China’s car sales fell more than 17% in Q1 after the removal of tax incentives, dampening tire production and natural rubber consumption from the world’s largest consumer.



News Stream
Rubber Futures Retreat
Rubber futures fell to around 202 US cents per kilogram in mid-April, retreating from 2017 highs, weighed down by expectations of rising supply as the tapping season resumed. Additional pressure came from easing oil prices, driven by prospects of renewed US–Iran negotiations, which lowered synthetic rubber production costs and reduced the relative attractiveness of natural rubber. However, losses were partly cushioned by supply-side disruptions in China, where tapping in the key producing region of Hainan was delayed by a heat wave, temporarily tightening availability. On the demand side, China’s car sales fell more than 17% in Q1 after the removal of tax incentives, dampening tire production and natural rubber consumption from the world’s largest consumer.
2026-04-14
Rubber Futures Near 2017-Highs
Rubber futures rose above 206 US cents per kilogram, approaching levels not seen since early 2017, partly supported by rising oil prices amid the Middle East fragile ceasefire and the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Higher oil prices increase synthetic rubber costs, which makes natural rubber relatively more attractive, often boosting its demand. Further supporting prices, raw material supply in leading Southeast Asian countries remains constrained due to the seasonal low-production “wintering” period between February and May. During this phase, trees shed their leaves and undergo a resting phase, which substantially affects latex production.
2026-04-09
Rubber Futures Rise to 6-Week High
Rubber futures rose to 205 US cents per kilogram, reaching their highest level in six weeks. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, along with elevated crude oil prices, are driving up synthetic rubber costs, boosting demand for natural rubber. Global shipping disruptions continue to pose risks to the supply of critical raw materials such as chemicals, petrochemical derivatives, and synthetic rubber. At the same time, supply remains constrained as Southeast Asia, the main producing region, stays in its low-production “wintering” season until June.
2026-04-06