ANRPC releases Monthly NR Statistical Report, August 2026

Foreword by Secretary-General

It is my honor to present the ANRPC Monthly Natural Rubber Statistical Report for August 2026. This month was marked by a rise in natural rubber prices in some markets, supported by limitations in supply, and steady downstream demand, and ongoing geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty. Natural rubber prices reached higher levels during the month, reflecting firm market fundamentals and persistent external pressures. August saw renewed conflict and disruptions to major shipping routes. Brent crude oil averaged USD 91.08 per barrel in August. This increase was mainly driven by concerns over possible restrictions on oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and wider instability in the Middle East, which raised risks to global energy supplies and strengthened the risk premium in oil markets.

As detailed in Figure 1, physical natural rubber prices showed mixed movements across major grades in August 2026. The average price of SMR-20 in Kuala Lumpur rose by 4.25% month-on-month to USD 2.31/kg, while STR-20 in Bangkok slightly increased by 1.40% to USD 2.39/kg. RSS-3 fell by 4.18% to USD 2.80/kg, whereas RSS-4 in Kottayam edged up 0.57% to USD 2.92/kg. Meanwhile, the average price of latex-in-bulk declined by 4.73% to USD 1.73/kg.

On the import side, China increased by 3.39% month-on-month, while India (-10.18%) and Malaysia (-8.24%) decreased, and Viet Nam rose by 5.08%. On the export side, Viet Nam advanced by 5.63%, while Thailand (-5.24%), Indonesia (-5.36%), Malaysia (-1.48%), and Cambodia (-1.88%) all declined.

Global natural rubber production is projected to increase by 0.6% to 15.039 million tons in 2026, from 14.952 million tons in 2025. This revision incorporates revisions to Thailand's 2025 production, as well as updated estimates for production in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia in 2026. Production was affected by weather conditions, especially erratic rainfall and drier conditions that prevailed across Southeast Asia. On a monthly basis, global production is estimated at 1.396 million tons in August 2026, a decline of 4.51% from the 1.462 million tons recorded in August 2025. Global natural rubber demand is forecast to increase by 0.4% in 2026, reaching 15.356 million tons compared with 15.301 million tons in 2025. The largest increases in projected consumption are expected in China, Malaysia, and Cambodia (Figure 2b). Global demand prospects remain contingent on changes in vehicle sales, tyre production, shipping conditions, and weather-related supply disruptions, and steady EV-linked demand supported modest growth in demand, led by China and India.

The Malaysian ringgit traded between RM4.02/USD and RM4.09/USD, while the Thai baht traded between 32.68 and 33.34. The SHFE January 2027 contract averaged 18,109 CNY/ton (7.78% month-on-month) and the SGX November 2026 contract averaged USD 2.24/kg (4.32% month-on-month).

ANRPC remains committed to providing timely, authoritative, and objective analysis of the global natural rubber market in fulfilment of its mandate as an inter-governmental organization dedicated to the sustainable development of the natural rubber sector. I encourage member governments, industry partners, and all stakeholders to engage closely with the analysis presented in this report and to draw upon these findings in the formulation of evidence-based policies and strategic decisions.

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Yours sincerely,

Dr. Suttipong Angthong

Secretary-General