Rubber Futures Rise on Stronger Physical Demand

Natural rubber futures have rebounded over the first trading week of August, with all exchanges posting gains during the week ended 7 Aug. According to the Japan Exchange Group (JPX), the gains were supported by stronger physical demand and consumer buying interest. Additionally, stronger global equity markets and gains in other commodities, such as copper and precious metals like gold and silver, may have also supported rubber prices. In Osaka, Japan, the OSE’s January-2027 rubber contract settled marginally higher, up 0.3% week-on-week, in quiet trading. In Shanghai, China, SHFE and INE rubber futures closed 2.6% and 3.3% higher, respectively. In Singapore, SICOM’s active October-2026 rubber contract ended the week up 3.5% on fresh buying interest, with some consumers paying premiums of 15-20 cents/kg over front-month SICOM rubber futures prices for September deliveries.