Buriram Rubber Prices Hit 10-Year High, Doubling Farmer Incomes
Rubber cup lump prices in Buriram have reached a 10-year high of 44 baht per kilogram, nearly doubling farmers' monthly incomes. Growers are selling heavily to pay debts and cover living costs, but warn that high fertilizer and fuel expenses still threaten profitability. Traders, meanwhile, are growing cautious over potential price volatility.
BURIRAM — Para rubber farmers in Kan Dong district are smiling as cup lump prices surge to 41–44 baht per kilogram, the highest level in roughly ten years. The price jump has nearly doubled average monthly income from 20,000–30,000 baht to 30,000–40,000 baht, prompting a steady stream of growers from surrounding villages to sell their output at local buying stations.
Farmers say they are rushing to sell to cover living expenses and repay debts, while hoping prices stay firm or climb further. Yet they stress that production costs — especially fertilizer and diesel — remain painfully high. "If rubber prices fall but fuel stays expensive, we still carry the same heavy burden," one grower said, calling for concrete government measures to lower input costs.
A buyer with over a decade in the business confirmed cup lump rarely exceeded 40 baht per kilogram until now, attributing the rally to tighter overall supply and rising demand. However, the higher market price means buyers need more capital and face greater risk if prices swing downward. Some traders have already slowed purchases to assess the market direction before committing further funds.
