January average RSS3 price announced by Central Rubber Market in Songkhla stood at 47.65 Baht/kg, up 2.28 % from December 2017 due to the following factors. Crude oil price is likely to climb up after the depreciation of US dollar and decrease in US crude oil stock. Inclement weather in southern Thailand precluded tapping ability, resulting in tight supply of rubber raw material. Rubber price is also supported by purchasing demand from traders in the country as wintering season and Chinese New Year long holidays are upcoming. Thai Government is implementing its integrative rubber price measures. International Tripartite Rubber Council (ITRC) comprising Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia agreed upon the implementation of Agreed Export Tonnage Scheme during January-March 2018 with the total export cutback quantity of 350,000 tons. China reported unemployment rate of 3.9%, the lowest since 2002 suggesting strong economy. Despite aforementioned positive factors, Thai baht is likely to appreciate against Us dollar.
In December 2017, Thailand exported 382,515 tons of natural rubber (including compound rubber), up 1.64 % from November and 11.12 % yoy, generating export income of US$ 537.56 million, up 2.39 % from November and 0.20 % yoy. Overall, in 2017 Thai NR exports (including compound rubber) reached 3,813,465 tons, up 0.19 % yoy. The YTD export value touched US$ 6.36 billion, up 33.43 % yoy.
In tyre sector, in December 2017 Thailand exported 10.73 million units of all tyres, up 5.08 % yoy, with the export value of US$ 380.24 million, up 22.44 % yoy. Overall, in 2017 Thai exports of all tyres reached 124.48 million units, up 9.86 % yoy, generating export income of US$ 4.39 billion, up 22.85 % yoy.
![[Current Year]](/en/index.php/detail_member/thainr_graph/uploadfile/thb/020231103163307.jpg?detail=situation&yearPlus=Nothing){kind=link}