admin@irconaturalrubber.com
31 August 2026
Rubber prices in both the physical and futures markets ranged-bound with a slight upward movement during July 2026 as market players remained cautious amid persistent global uncertainties from the prolonged US–Iran conflict. Meanwhile, the “Super El Niño” phenomenon resulted in extreme heat and increasingly erratic weather conditions worldwide, adversely affecting agricultural production and raising concerns over potential disruptions to the supply of natural rubber.
According to the Sustainable Natural Rubber Forum held by the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) on 19 August 2026, it is emphasized that decarbonization and net-zero goals must be the main focus on achieving sustainability across rubber’s value chain. The Forum also urged rubber producing countries to align their national rubber policies with the ANRPC Guidelines to promote transparent, traceable and EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)-compliant supply chains, including through the adoption of open-source traceability tools.
2026 Market at a Glance
TIM Export Trends
Supply Constraints Reshape the Global Rubber Market
The global natural rubber market is tightening in 2026. While full-year production is projected to rise 2.1% YoY to 15.279 million tonnes, weaker output has driven a significant supply deficit.
Production Under Pressure
July production fell 5.15% YoY to 1.321 million tonnes, contributing to an estimated 1.333 million-tonne supply deficit in 1H2026.
Demand Holds Firm
Global consumption is forecast to reach 15.356 million tonnes, up 0.4% YoY. July consumption rose 0.8% to 1.297 million tonnes, bringing cumulative consumption through July to 8.759 million tonnes.
Source: ANRPC (August, 2026)
The Regional Rubber Market Price (RRMP) in 2025 demonstrated significant volatility, with several notable declines throughout the year. The sharp drop in April was largely driven by new trade tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on China and other major economies. Prices later rebounded and reached a peak in late July, likely supported by stronger demand from the automotive and tire manufacturing sectors. Although a modest correction followed in August, data show that prices are more converged with the 14-day moving average toward year-end, indicating an upward trend for next years.
USD Depreciation:
The USD is expected to weaken modestly through 2026, a trend likely to support firmer global natural rubber (NR) prices, particularly with sustained demand from China, India, and the automotive sectors.
Potential Short-Term Demand Boost:
Demand is expected to strengthen, supported by improving global economic conditions and lower U.S. interest rates, with growth mainly driven by tire manufacturers, thereby providing upward support to NR prices.
Expansionary monetary policy:
According to the World Bank, fiscal and monetary conditions are expected to ease in 2026. This shift is anticipated to stimulate demand, reduce price volatility, and contribute to higher NR prices.
EUDR regulations:
EUDR regulations and sustainability initiatives raise costs for natural producers, potentially leading to short-term price increases.
From the beginning of 2026, IRCo has been participating in and organising a series of meetings, events, and activities with the Member Countries of the International Tripartite Rubber Council (ITRC)—namely Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia—as well as with key rubber associations and agencies within the rubber industries of these Member Countries. These events aim to support the advancement of the natural rubber (NR) industry and promote sustainability across the entire value chain.
Through its Innovative, Responsive, Collaborative, and Service-Oriented initiatives, IRCo continues to contribute to the objectives of the ITRC: achieving remunerative prices and ensuring a sustainable supply and demand balance for NR.
The main activities implemented by IRCo in 2026 are summarised as follows:
Providing secretariat services to Member Countries for ITRC- and IRCo-related meetings, including Senior Officials’ Meetings and Committee Meetings.
Preparing meetings, including drafting and finalising relevant documents.
Disseminating rubber price information, market analyses, and related articles.
Communicating with rubber associations and organisations on domestic and international events related to the rubber industry and the sustainability of natural rubber.
21 August 2026 IRCo participated in the Gabungan Perusahaan Karet Indonesia (GAPKINDO) Annual Dinner on 21 August 2026 in Bali, Indonesia. The event provided a
19 August 2026 IRCo participated virtually in the Sustainable Natural Rubber Forum, themed “Aligning Priorities for Resilient Supply Chain,” held on 19 August 2026 in
30 June – 2 July 2026 IRCo participated in the IRRDB Socio Economic Seminar 2026, themed “Strengthening Economic Resilience and Value Addition in the Global
IRCo welcomed a delegation from the Qingdao Qianwan Free Trade Port Zone (SDPFTZ) to its Head Office in Bangkok on 26 June 2026. The delegation
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