SINGAPORE (June 22) — Standard Indonesian Rubber 20, the natural rubber grade used most often by U.S. tire makers, reached an all-time high price today, according to Dow Jones News Service.
SIR 20 was offered at 235.9 U.S. cents per kilogram from the port of Palembang. Rubber Smoked Sheets 3, meanwhile, reached 275-278 cents per kilogram for August shipment from Asian ports. Heavy rains, which make rubber tapping difficult, combined with continued strong demand and increased speculation to drive up prices, experts said.