Kuala lumpur: The Kuala Lumpur rubber market ended lower today, taking the cue from weaker regional rubber futures and softer Chinese automotive sales, said a dealer. She mentioned the impact of the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which raised concerns over reduced demand for Chinese tyres from that region, further dampened market sentiment.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, concerns have arisen that shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could weaken Middle East demand for Chinese tyres, as importers may postpone orders for the next one to two months amid market uncertainties. The conflict has led to apprehensions that could affect the shipping lanes and subsequently the trade flow.

The dealer noted that China's automotive sales fell 15.4 per cent year-on-year in February 2026, marking the steepest decline in two years and reflecting a downturn in demand within the world's largest automotive market. This slump in automotive sales has significantly influenced the rubber market's performance today.

At 3 pm, the price of Standard Malaysian Rubber (SMR) 20 dropped 3.5 sen to 789.5 sen per kilogramme (kg), while latex in bulk eased one sen to 655 sen per kg. This decline in prices indicates the broader trend of decreasing demand and market volatility currently being experienced.