SANDWICH, U.K.—"Uncertainty" is the watchword for this coming year," the Rubber Trade Association of Europe (RTAE) said in its latest monthly report on natural rubber pricing trends.
With the notable exception of the U.S., recovery of western and some other economies during 2025 "looks to be slow and uncertain," according to RTAE's January digest.
The general trend was reflected in end-of-year trading, with TSR20 prices rising by 20 Euro cents/kg during the latter part of November through to early December.
After peaking at about €2.19/kg (about $2.28/kg), however, prices for the commodity then dropped back by more than €0.10, amid thin trading in the Christmas/New Year holiday period.
RTAE could see "no obvious explanation" for the lift in prices, but said the subsequent drop suggested "a realization that the fundamentals remained gloomily little changed."
With its head office in Sandwich, Kent, in the United Kingdom, RTAE is focused on international rubber trading through the European market—providing support to producers, brokers, dealers, traders and consumers in any territory.