Thai firms short of rubber

Thai firms short of rubber

BANGKOK (Reuter): Thai rubber prices firmed last week on lower supply and renewed orders by China after its general absence in the past several months, traders said.

They said Thailand's rubber producing southern region started its rainy season this month, allowing rubber tappers to work only a few days this week.

"The number of Chinese orders, each of 1,000-2,000 tons, rose this week and I guess they should add up to more than 10,000 tons," a dealer at Tavorn Rubber Industry Co Ltd said on Friday.

Thai benchmark RSS-3 for November delivery firmed to about $1.38/kg FOB Bangkok/Hatyai from $1.34 a week ago.