The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) is happy to release the Natural Rubber Trends & Statistics, June 2018.
During first half of 2018 (H1 2018), the global demand of natural rubber (NR) grew 5.0%, year-over-year, to 6.960 million tonnes. On the other hand, the global supply of NR rose 4.5%, year-over-year, to 6.214 million tonnes during the same reference period. These figures reveal a shortfall in production amounting to 746,000 tonnes during H1 2018. In view of these updates, the outlook of NR for 2018 is revised; the world production is anticipated to increase by 5.2% to 14.040 million tonnes and the world demand to increase by 5.7% to 14.136 million tonnes.
The favourable supply-demand fundamentals in NR market was not reflected in the physical nor futures rubber markets in June 2018. These markets seem to be influenced by external factors such as development in the crude oil industry and the trade tensions between US and China.
Moreover, rubber prices at the Shanghai Futures Exchange have been bearish due to various reasons including the sharp devaluation in Chinese yuan since April and the high level of rubber inventory held at its designated warehouses. This has kept sentiments down in physical markets across countries.
The analysis and data given in this publication could help to closely understand the prevailing situation in the market and the emerging scenario. ANRPC owes a debt of gratitude to its statistical correspondents in the member countries and the esteemed users of this publication.
Thank you.
Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Bich
Secretary-General
