Rubber futures were trading at around 195 US cents per kilogram, holding near their lowest level in more than a week. Concerns that the Middle East conflict could weigh on demand have offset the support from higher oil prices and constrained supply.
Recent reports show that imports from Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam have fallen, as ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have extended shipping lead times. At the same time, the supply outlook remains tight due to seasonally lower production. Major Southeast Asian producers are currently in their low-output “wintering” period, which lasts from February to May, before harvesting typically accelerates into late summer.