By Engku Shariful Azni Engku Ab Latif
KUALA LUMPUR, April 2 (Bernama) -- The Kuala Lumpur rubber market extended its upward momentum to close higher on Thursday, supported by rising regional rubber futures and higher crude oil prices.
A dealer said market sentiment was further boosted by positive US economic data and tight rubber supply in producing countries, as the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) forecast higher natural rubber (NR) demand in 2026.
At the time of writing, Brent crude oil prices rose 7.37 per cent to US$108.66 per barrel.
It was reported that global NR production is projected to reach 15.324 million tonnes in 2026, up 2.2 per cent from 14.996 million tonnes in 2025, while global consumption is expected to rise modestly by 1.4 per cent to approximately 15.602 million tonnes, compared with 15.382 million tonnes in 2025.
However, gains were limited by a stronger ringgit and a subdued global economic outlook amid heightened geopolitical uncertainties, she told Bernama.
At 3 pm, the price of Standard Malaysian Rubber (SMR) 20 rose by 2.5 sen to 819.50 sen per kilogramme (kg), while latex in bulk surged by 12 sen to 727.50 sen per kg.
The Kuala Lumpur rubber market will be closed tomorrow, April 3, 2026, for Good Friday and will resume operations next Monday, April 6, 2026.
-- BERNAMA
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