橡胶：如何看待贸易行为

Summary of Rubber Industry Conference Call Industry Overview - The rubber processing profit in 2025 is under pressure due to high raw material prices and weak downstream demand, leading Thai processing plants to increase raw material purchase prices. Small private enterprises struggle to maintain inventory due to cash flow and financing cost issues [1][2][9] - Tire manufacturers are affected by EU anti-subsidy and anti-dumping policies, resulting in reduced profits. However, leading companies still show profitability, with a noticeable increase in procurement pace in the second half of the year due to low natural rubber inventory [1][3] - Overseas market demand remains weak, with a brief replenishment period from late September to the National Day holiday. Negotiations for 2026 long-term contracts are ongoing, with expected quantities and prices similar to 2025 [1][4] Key Points on Raw Material Prices - Thai raw material prices are expected to remain high due to supply-demand dynamics, with new production lines increasing demand but no significant supply increase anticipated for 2026 [1][5] - The current price of Thai rubber is around 55 THB, with expectations of limited improvement in 2026 due to persistent supply-demand contradictions [5][9] Market Dynamics and Challenges - The disappearance of the normal arbitrage position in 2025 and the large scale of reverse arbitrage positions have pressured the dollar-denominated product prices, leading to a forecasted decrease in import volumes in Q4 [1][6] - The impact of U.S. tariffs is significant, with profits for all-steel tires down by over 50%, affecting pricing in other regions and increasing costs in the supply chain [1][7][8] - The processing plants are currently operating at 60-70% capacity utilization, with many facing losses due to high raw material prices and weak downstream demand [1][10][22] Inventory and Production Insights - Inventory levels in 2025 are lower than in previous years due to cash flow challenges and high financing costs, with many small private enterprises unable to maintain normal inventory levels [2][19] - The overall inventory situation is tight, with no significant replenishment willingness from upstream farmers or processing plants, as they prioritize cash flow [24][27] Regional Insights - In Indonesia, some factories have closed due to rising raw material prices leading to sales losses, and similar situations are observed in Thailand and Africa [11][25] - African rubber processing plants have seen a decrease in profit per ton by $100-200, with supply growth lagging behind demand growth [11] Future Outlook - The rubber processing industry is expected to face challenges in 2026, with both all-steel and semi-steel sectors likely to encounter difficulties [8][9] - The current high raw material prices are not expected to incentivize significant increases in production, as farmers are already motivated to tap into rubber production due to limited alternative income sources [17][18] Conclusion - The rubber industry is navigating a complex landscape characterized by high raw material prices, regulatory challenges, and fluctuating demand. The outlook for 2026 remains cautious, with potential supply shortages looming if current trends continue.