KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia—The global natural rubber industry is being driven by "favourable supply-demand fundamentals," according to a Dec. 7 report by the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries.
Supply of natural rubber from ANRPC states is expected to grow marginally at 0.1 percent to 11.08 million metric tons during 2016, while consumption by the member states is anticipated to show a healthy 4.1 percent growth at 8 million tons this year.
Consumption by ANRPC member states' consumption accounts for 65 percent of the global demand, the association added.
Price-wise, the uptrend momentum in October improved in November across all major physical markets, according to the group's report.
Among the contributing factors to the price rally, ANRPC said, were favorable supply-demand fundamentals, weak Japanese yen, a rebound in crude oil prices and an improved economic outlook in the U.S.