March average RSS3 price announced by Central Rubber Market in Songkhla stood at 74.73 Baht/kg, down 14.93 % from February due to the following factors. Volatile Yen and Baht appreciated at 113.45 per US Dollar and 34.96 per US Dollar respectively (as of 17 March). Crude oil price at Nymex continued its decline at the average of 48.50 US Dollar per barrel in mid-March. Chinese rubber stock at Shanghai Market touched 330,660 tons as of 17 March, up from 325,808 tons as of 10 March. Local Thai entreneurs decelerated the purchase, closely following the uncertain situation of Government’s rubber auction. On economic front, investors were concerned over weak economic data of China, the world’s second largest economy and the major rubber consumer. China posted its first monthly trade deficit in three years in February. China's consumer prices rose 0.8 percent year-on-year in February 2017, compared to a 2.5 percent rise in January while markets expected an 1.7 percent gain. It was the lowest inflation rate since January 2015. China's banks made more than expected 1.17 trillion yuan ($169.32 billion) in new loans in February, down from 2.03 trillion yuan in January. Foreign direct investment into China fell by 2.3 percent year-on-year to USD 20.1 billion in the first two months of 2017.
In February, Thailand exported 321,926 tons of natural rubber (including compound rubber), up 2.96 % from January, down 5.15 % yoy, generating export income of US$ 612.37 million, up 11.86 % from January, up 67.52 % yoy. Overall, during January to February Thai NR exports (including compound rubber) reached 634,590 tons, down 0.64 % yoy. The YTD export value touched US$ 1.15 billion, up 64.99 % yoy
In tyre sector, in February Thailand exported 9.72 million units of all tyres, up 6.32 % yoy, with the export value of US$ 340.47 million, up 26.16 % yoy. Overall, during January to February Thai exports of all tyres reached 18.88 million units, up 12.49 % yoy, generating export income of US$ 638.48 million, up 29.31 % yoy.
![[Current Year]](/en/index.php/detail_member/thainr_graph/control/Scripts/pdficon.png?detail=situation&yearPlus=Nothing){kind=link}