Malaysian manufacturers are likely to raise latex glove prices as floods inundate rubber plantations in Thailand, the world's No.1 exporter of the commodity, and cut off supplies.
Malaysia's glove making industry, the largest in the world, meets most of its rubber requirements from Thailand. Trucks cross the border to Malaysia from southern Thailand almost daily, carrying 1,000-1,500 tonnes on average.
'We have revised the latex glove price twice for the past one month, and will continue to monitor the situation and adjust if necessary,' said Lim Cheong Guan, executive director of Top Glove, the world's largest glove maker.
Regional traders said deliveries of rubber had slowed thanks to the chest-high floods in main growing areas in southern Thailand, pushing the Thai RSS3 grade to a record high again on Thursday. - Reuters