London – Natural rubber prices continued to fall during May, albeit the downward trend slowed compared to the sharp drops noted in April, ERJ’s latest analysis of the market shows.

Trading in Far East market was, last month, heavily influenced by volatile regional rubber futures markets as well as crude oil price and currency fluctuations – both the figures and industry officials suggest.

An ERJ snapshot showed on the Shanghai Futures Exchange, the closing price for RU1709 – the most heavily traded NR future – fell 12.5%