Rubber witnesses downtrend

Kottayam: Physical rubber prices resumed the downward journey on June 16. Sheet rubber fell to Rs 81 and Rs 80.50 a kg respectively at Kottayam and Kochi from Rs 82 a kg on purchaser resistance. The futures market moved down trading the July contract for RSS 4 at Rs 82.90 against Rs 84.66 a kg on MCX. The June delivery contract for the grade expired slightly better at Rs 82.62 against Rs 82.28 a kg, while the near month July contract weakened further to Rs 82.46 (84.42), August to Rs 83.60 (85.49) and September contract to Rs 82.45 (84.35) per kg on NMCE. Spot prices were (Rs/kg): RSS-4: 81 (82); RSS-5: 79.50 (81); ungraded: 78 (79.50); ISNR 20: 79.25 (80.50) and latex 60 per cent: 60 (60).