Natural Rubber Latest News (Feb 2026)

China’s domestic RSS (Shanghai) traded at 16,000 RMB/ton on Feb 4 (+200 RMB/ton MoM); Yunnan SCRWF 15,950-16,000 RMB/ton (+150 RMB/ton MoM); Thai STR20 15,130 RMB/ton (+130 RMB/ton MoM). Thai tapping entered off-season, glue at 58.5 THB/kg (≈11.2 CNY/kg), supporting costs.
Malaysia activated the Rubber Production Incentive (IPG) for Sabah and Sarawak smallholders in Jan 2026 as cuplump prices fell below the threshold.
SHFE adjusted natural rubber futures’ daily limit to 9% and margin rates to 10% (hedging) / 11% (general) from Feb 5, 2026.

Vietnam-Kampuchea Economy Trade and Industry Co., Ltd. broke ground on a large rubber processing plant in Cambodia’s Kratie province (over 3,000 hectares), boosting local processing capacity.
Butadiene prices surged 28% YTD, pushing up synthetic rubber costs, narrowing the price gap with natural rubber and increasing substitution demand.
China’s tire operating rates remained solid: PCR 74.84%, TBR 62.44% as of Jan 30, 2026, supporting rubber consumption.

EU’s CSRD/EUDR compliance drives up costs and certification thresholds, accelerating industry consolidation and raising the price floor.
Qingdao bonded + general trade inventories dropped to 584,500 tons as of Jan 25, 2026 (-0.07% MoM), with destocking ongoing.

Global output growth stays muted due to aging trees and stagnant planting; 2026 prices are expected to stay firm amid tight supply and recovering demand.
China’s Jan rubber imports fell YoY, constrained by Thai export quotas and higher shipping costs.