Tokyo rubber futures down

Tokyo rubber futures slipped lower on Wednesday, weighed down by weaker oil prices, but tight supply in major producing countries still provided support, dealers said. The benchmark rubber contract on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange for November delivery fell 2.4 yen to settle at 388.3 yen ($4.762) per kg.
The most active Shanghai rubber contract for September delivery fell 265 yuan to finish at 32,585 yuan ($5,028.843) per tonne. "TOCOM sentiment became weaker as players sold contract after seeing oil prices fall," one dealer said.
Brent was below $117 a barrel on Wednesday but supported by disruptions to oil supplies to top consumer the United States and political upheaval in Yemen. At 0850 GMT, it was at $116.57 per barrel.
Farmers in Thailand, the biggest producer and exporter, have resumed tapping but supply has not risen to normal levels because unseasonable rain has disrupted work.
Tokyo rubber futures were expected to hold steady just below the 400 yen level during the months of June and July, supported by limited supply at a time when demand is likely to remain strong, according to a Reuters poll.