Rubber prices today, January 17th: World market falls by up to 1.5%, domestic prices remain unchanged.
Rubber futures prices in Shanghai and Osaka reversed course and fell due to profit-taking pressure and weakening oil prices, while domestic raw latex prices remained stable around 440 VND/degree TSC.
The global rubber market on January 17th saw a clear divergence, with major exchanges in China and Japan experiencing declines. This was primarily due to profit-taking by investors following the previous price surge, combined with pressure from weakening crude oil prices. Conversely, raw rubber prices in the Vietnamese domestic market remained stable, with no new fluctuations recorded by major purchasing companies.
Trends in rubber prices on international exchanges.
At the close of trading, rubber prices in key Asian markets faced significant downward pressure. In China, the March 2026 rubber futures contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) fell sharply by 1.5%, or 235 yuan, to 15,960 yuan/tonne. Meanwhile, in Japan, the June 2026 rubber contract on the Osaka Stock Exchange (OSE) also fell by 0.78%, to 354.1 yen (US$2.23)/kg.
Summary of international rubber price fluctuations on January 17th:
| Market | Term | Price | Fluctuations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai (SHFE) | March 2026 | 15,960 CNY/ton | -1.5% |
| Osaka (OSE) | June 2026 | 354.1 JPY/kg | -0.78% |
| Thailand | February 2026 | 62.8 Baht/kg | +0.5% |
According to market analysts, a cautious sentiment prevails as investors tend to reduce their risk appetite ahead of the weekend. The lack of new supporting factors, coupled with the downward trend in crude oil prices – the raw material for synthetic rubber production – has directly put pressure on natural rubber prices.
Prospects for the rubber glove industry and regional supply
Notably, despite adjustments in raw material prices, the medium-term outlook for the rubber glove manufacturing industry in Malaysia remains positive. Kenanga Investment Bank (BHD) forecasts that manufacturers there will significantly improve their EBITDA margins in 2026 thanks to optimized cost structures. Specifically, Top Glove Corporation Bhd's margin increased from 10% in Q4 2025 to 14% in Q1 2026.
In addition, the market is also being affected by supply chain disruptions. A Chinese factory in Indonesia is expected to experience production delays until the end of Q1 2026. In Thailand, Sri Trang's production facilities in Hat Yai have been temporarily shut down since the end of November 2024 due to flooding. These factors are expected to support prices and improve the supply-demand balance in the region in the coming period.
Domestic rubber prices remain stable.
In the Vietnamese domestic market, the purchase price of raw rubber latex remains stable, similar to previous sessions, as maintained by companies. Specifically:
- Binh Long Rubber Company:The purchase price at the factory reached 440 VND/degree TSC/kg; at the production team, it was 412 VND/degree TSC/kg. The price of mixed latex (DRC 60%) remained stable at 14,000 VND/kg.
- Ba Ria Rubber Company:Liquid latex is priced at 415 VND/degree TSC/kg (applicable to TSC degrees from 25 to under 30); raw latex is priced at 18,500 VND/kg.
- Phu Rieng Company:The quoted price for liquid latex is 420 VND/TSC; mixed latex remains stable at 390 VND/DRC.
- MangYang Company:The purchase price for liquid latex ranges from 403–408 VND/TSC; the price for mixed coagulated latex is 368–419 VND/DRC depending on the type.
Overall, the domestic rubber market remains stable despite some fluctuations in the global market. Experts predict that short-term price trends will continue to be influenced by global oil price movements and the recovery of production in key rubber-producing regions of Thailand and Indonesia.
