TOKYO, Feb 6 (Reuters) – Asian physical rubber prices were
stable on Friday, drawing support from lower latex output due to
wintering and anticipated buying by the world’s top consumer
China.

 Traders said buying by China was likely to be subdued ahead
of the weekend and after a round of buying this week when Chinese
buyers took Indonesia's SIR20 grade rubber at prices equivalent
to $1.25-$1.27 per kg for delivery in February and March.

 One trader in Thailand, the world's top rubber producer, said
Chinese buyers were continuing to show interest in Indonesian
rubber due to its competitive price versus key Thai grades such
as RSS3.

 He said Thai traders were finding it difficult to attract
buyers.

 "But they (Thai traders) also cannot lower the price because
the cost is there," he said.

 Wintering typically starts in eastern Thailand at the end of
January and is propping up prices for rubber from the world's top
producer.

 PRICES OF ASIAN PHYSICAL RUBBER COMPARED WITH THURSDAY

 Grade                                Price         Change

 Thai RSS3 (Mar)                     $1.51/kg       unchanged

 Thai RSS3 (Apr)                     $1.51/kg       unchanged

 Thai STR20 (Mar)                    $1.41/kg       unchanged

 Thai STR20 (Apr)                    $1.41/kg       unchanged

 Malaysia SMR20 (Mar)                $1.41/kg       unchanged

 Malaysia SMR20 (Apr)                $1.41/kg       unchanged

 Indonesia SIR20 (Mar)               $0.60/lb       unchanged

 Indonesia SIR20 (Apr)               $0.60/lb       unchanged

 Thai USS3                           47 baht/kg     unchanged

 Thai 60-percent latex (drums, Mar)  $1,200/tonne   +$50

 Thai 60-percent latex (bulk, Mar)   $1,100/tonne   +$50
 ** NOTE - The prices quoted above are offer prices collected
from traders in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. They are not
official prices quoted by state-run rubber agencies in those
countries.

Source:  Reuters

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