Kuala lumpur: The rubber market closed higher on Friday, buoyed by increasing benchmark crude oil prices and concerns over supply shortages due to adverse weather conditions in major producing regions, a dealer reported.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Brent crude oil price rose by 0.19 percent to US$100.19 per barrel at the time of writing. The market sentiment was further bolstered by gains in Shanghai rubber futures and optimism surrounding China's export prospects ahead of the upcoming ASEAN summit.

The dealer indicated that while the market experienced upward momentum, further gains were restrained by mixed economic data from the United States, ongoing geopolitical uncertainties in West Asia, and cautiousness concerning US trade policies and tariffs. Japanese rubber futures continued their upward trend on Friday, marking a third consecutive weekly rise, supported by robust Thai physical prices amidst weather-related supply concerns.

Rubber prices are anticipated to remain supported due to potential supply shortages, as storms and floods pose a threat to crops in Thailand, the leading producer. As of 3 pm, the Standard Malaysian Rubber (SMR) 20 price increased by 2.5 sen to 882.50 sen per kilogram, achieving its highest level since March 26, 2025. Meanwhile, latex-in-bulk rose by six sen to 756 sen per kilogram.