Rubber Market Ends Higher, SMR 20 Hits 1,074.5 Sen Per Kg

By Zufazlin Baharuddin

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- The Kuala Lumpur rubber market finished higher on Monday, with Standard Malaysian Rubber 20 (SMR 20) climbing 13.5 sen to hit 1,074.5 sen per kilogramme (kg), its highest level since May 9, 2012.

A dealer told Bernama that gains were supported by regional rubber futures and supply concerns stemming from persistent heavy rainfall in Thailand which is expected to continue until mid-October and the possibility of a stronger El Nino extending into early 2027.

Moreover, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) today reported that Malaysia's natural rubber production fell 5.7 per cent year-on-year to 29,510 tonnes in August 2026 from 31,285 tonnes in August 2025, indicating lower annual output despite a monthly recovery.

However, the dealer said gains were partly capped by lower crude oil prices, a slightly stronger ringgit against the US dollar, geopolitical tensions in West Asia, and continued weakness in China's domestic passenger vehicle sales.

Bulk latex increased by eight sen to 777 sen per kg at 3 pm.

-- BERNAMA