Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers indicates that my country's automobile exports maintained a trend of rapid growth in May 2026. Export volume reached 930,000 units—a year-on-year increase of 68.7%—marking the second consecutive month that exports exceeded the 900,000-unit mark.

The sustained surge in auto exports is directly driving up demand for tires—both for original equipment and export markets. As a core raw material for tires, natural rubber faces a positive demand outlook. On June 9, 2026, the settlement price for the SHFE natural rubber benchmark contract (2609) stood at 17,580 RMB/tonne; with robust open interest, support from the demand side is expected to boost both futures and spot prices.

Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) is a primary synthetic rubber raw material for tire production. With auto exports remaining high (above 900,000 units for two consecutive months), operating rates and inventory restocking demand among downstream tire manufacturers are expected to rise, providing bullish support for SBR spot prices.

Polybutadiene rubber (BR) is widely used in tire tread production. The booming auto export market is driving up downstream tire demand, which in turn stimulates consumption of BR and provides a positive boost to its spot price.

Nitrile rubber (NBR) is primarily used in oil-resistant automotive sealing components. While the growth in auto exports stimulates demand for NBR, the correlation is weaker than that of rubber varieties used in tires, resulting in only modest bullish support for its price.

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