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January average RSS3 price announced by Central Rubber Market in Songkhla stood at 38.66 Baht/kg, 3.85 % down from December due to the following factors. With volatile and appreciating yen, most speculators slowed down and resorted to another safe haven such as gold. Already volatile crude oil price dropped further to 13 year low level at lower than US$ 30 per barrel, dragging down price of rubber, which is a substitute for synthetic rubber. Rubber stocks at Shanghai market stood at 256,337 tons as of 8 January, 2.82% up from 1 January. Weak Chinese economy is obviously seen in inflation growth rate at only 1.4%, lower than government expectation at 3.0%. Chinese exports in 2015 dropped 1.8%, while imports dropped 13.2%. However, certain positive factors prevented rubber prices from further decline. The European Central Bank president signaled that the bank was prepared to cut rates and expand its quantitative easing program. Thai government implemented on 25 January 2016 a measure to solve falling rubber price through price intervention. Local rubber output slightly contracted due to inclement weather in southern Thai provinces.
In December 2015, Thailand exported 333,484.34 tons of natural rubber (including compound rubber), 0.5 % up from November and 14.75 % down yoy, generating export income of US$ 394.20 million, 3.46 % down from November, and 31.93 % down yoy. Overall, Thai NR exports (including compound rubber) reached 4,091,685.50 tons during January to December, 3.05 % down yoy. The 12 month export value touched US$ 5.76 billion, 24.19 % down yoy.
In tyre sector, in December 2015 Thailand exported 9.00 million units of all tyres, 5.88 % up yoy, with the export value of US$ 274.53 million. Overall, during January to December, Thai exports of all tyres reached 106.26 million units, 6.50% up yoy, generating export income of US$ 3.45 billion, 1.36% down yoy.
![[Current Year]](/en/index.php/detail_member/uploadfile/thb/020250827163920.jpg?detail=situation&yearPlus=Nothing){kind=link}