Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian rubber market is projected to experience sideways trading with a slight upward trend while maintaining a cautious approach in the upcoming week. Industry expert Denis Low has pointed out that adverse weather conditions, including heavy winds and continuous rainfall in key rubber-producing nations, are raising concerns about supply, thereby supporting the demand and prices for rubber.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Low stated that rubber production has been halted due to the ongoing monsoon season and is expected to remain so for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, the Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (MARGMA) emphasized that the market is likely to see volatility next week, primarily influenced by the European Parliament's decision to postpone the European Union Deforestation Regulation, which is expected to ease demand pressure.

MARGMA also highlighted that concerns over natural rubber supply, particularly in Thailand where severe flooding has occurred, will continue to significantly impact prices. On a weekly basis, the Malaysian Rubber Board's reference price for Standard Malaysian Rubber 20 (SMR 20) decreased by 4.5 sen to 726.0 sen per kilogram, while latex-in-bulk saw a minor increase of one sen to 578.0 sen per kilogram.