The main reason for the rise in market was domestic supply concerns. Traders said people in the rubber growing regions in Kerala were suffering from contagious fever, spread by mosquitoes. The spread of viral fever in rubber growing areas has hit production and dried up the availability of the raw material.

Sheet rubber RSS 4 firmed up to Rs 82 from Rs 81 a kg at Kottayam and Kochi. The market made all-round gains as covering groups remained active around the quoted rates.

The rubber Futures improved smartly on NMCE. The near month August contract moved up to Rs 84.67 (81.94), September to Rs 83.50 (81.84), October to Rs 83.53 (81.87) and November contract to Rs 82.99 (82.93) per kg for RSS 4. The volumes totalled 3,550 (1,466) tonnes.

The August contract for RSS 4 improved to Rs 83.75 (81.74) a kg on MCX. RSS 3 (spot) improved by 33 paise to Rs 84.11 a kg at Bangkok. TOCOM was closed on account of Marine Day.

Spot rubber prices were (Rs/kg): RSS-4: 82 (81); RSS-5: 80 (79.50); ungraded: 78 (77); ISNR 20: 79.50 (79) and latex 60 per cent: 58.40 (58.40).