The Chinese rubber market is navigating a challenging landscape as of May 2025, marked by subdued demand, ample supply, and weak macroeconomic indicators. Despite a slight recovery in China’s PMI, manufacturing activity remains below the expansion threshold, signaling ongoing contraction. New export orders remain soft, reflecting persistent pressure on China’s industrial and tire export segments.
Highlights
• Physical-to-INE spreads indicate sluggish near-term demand
• Rising availability and tepid downstream suggests prices may remain under pressure
• April’s import and export data highlights the caution in the market