Asian physical rubber prices were quoted a little higher on Thursday, tracking a small rise in the Tokyo Commodity Exchange. Traders said more buyers were in the market, including China, the world's biggest rubber purchaser, for Thai RSS3 at around $2.22 per kg for July shipment.
"Indonesia could not supply for prompt shipment so more Chinese and also Japanese buyers were expected to shift to Thailand," a trader in Thailand's Hat Yai rubber centre said.
Cash rubber prices were expected to slip over the next few weeks due to improving supply in Thailand, the world's biggest natural rubber producer, traders said. But prices would not fall significantly, as rising demand would still provide support, they said.