MARKET • 21/07/2026 05:43 PM

Rubber Market Ends Lower On Regional Weakness, Softer Oil Prices

By Nurunnasihah Ahmad Rashid

KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 (Bernama) -- The Kuala Lumpur rubber market ended lower on Tuesday, weighed down by declines in regional rubber futures markets and softer benchmark crude oil prices amid expectations of ample natural rubber supply from Thailand, a major producer, said a dealer.

He said market sentiment was further dampened by a weaker outlook for China’s car market, raising concerns over tyre demand.

“However, further losses were limited by a slightly weaker ringgit against the US dollar and hopes for reduced geopolitical tensions in West Asia,” he added.

He noted that Japanese rubber futures came under pressure due to improving latex production and lower oil prices, while China’s car market outlook also weakened, with passenger vehicle sales projected to decline 14 per cent in 2026 amid softer consumer demand.

At 3 pm, the price of Standard Malaysian Rubber 20 (SMR 20) slipped 14.5 sen to 882.50 sen per kilogramme (kg), while latex in bulk decreased by two sen to 722 sen per kg.