Natural Rubber Price Continues to Rise

The price of natural rubber is reaching a new high of US$2.16/kg; a rise of 22 per cent since January 1st and up 87 per cent since January 2005. As an example of the potential effect on tyre manufacturing, a 60kg truck tyre will contain around 24kg of natural rubber. Already this year, many tyre manufacturers have announced two lots of price increases and industry pundits expect further price rises if natural rubber prices stay at the current level.