Cost Support, High Inventory Levels—Natural Rubber Market Prices Fluctuate and Consolidate

December 22nd, according to news

According to the commodity market analysis system, the spot market for natural rubber in China has been consolidating recently (from December 1st to December 22nd). As of December 22nd, the spot price of natural rubber in China was around 14,950 CNY per ton, an increase of 0.34% from 14,900 CNY per ton at the beginning of the month. As of December 22nd, the mainstream prices for 24-year Guangken, Baodao, and Haibao full-cream rubber in the Qingdao area were 14,900 to 15,150 CNY per ton.

Recently (December 1-22), the continuous increase in natural rubber inventory has had a bearish impact on the natural rubber market. However, natural rubber raw material prices remain high, and downstream tire production has slightly decreased while remaining stable, leading to a fluctuating and consolidating natural rubber market.

Recently (December 1-22), the price of natural rubber raw materials has been consolidating at a high level. As of December 22, the price of latex in Thailand was 56.00 Thai baht per kilogram, unchanged from 56 Thai baht per kilogram at the beginning of the month. Currently, during the peak tapping season overseas, supply is gradually increasing, and it is expected that the price of raw materials will consolidate at a high level and then decline.

Recently (December 1-22), the inventory of natural rubber has continued to grow, having a bearish impact on natural rubber. As of December 21, 2025, the combined inventory volume of bonded and general trade natural rubber in the Qingdao area was 515,200 tons, an increase of 6.52% from 481,600 tons at the end of November.

Supply and Demand: Recently (Dec. 1–Dec. 22), downstream tire production has slightly declined, providing some support for the natural rubber market's intrinsic demand. As of December 19, Chinese tire companies’ semi-steel tire production capacity utilization rate stood at around 71%; in Shandong Province, tire companies’ all-steel tire production capacity utilization rate was approximately 63%.

Outlook: With the short-term high prices of natural rubber raw materials expected to decline later, supported by the rigid demand from downstream tire production, and with an increase in the port inventory of natural rubber, it is comprehensively estimated that the natural rubber market in China will experience a weak consolidation.