What this means: NBR pricing remains below June levels, but late-August conditions are firmer, led by an upward move in China while Malaysia and Thailand remain comparatively steady. Upstream feedstock volatility, resilient import demand, Panama Canal tightening, announced September ocean rate increases, and elevated U.S. fuel-related transportation costs remain the key signals to watch.
China moved higher late in August, while Malaysia and Thailand remain around $1,150–$1,200/ton.
Crude oil swings continue to influence butadiene and acrylonitrile cost volatility.
Panama Canal constraints and announced September rate increases point to continued pressure on East Coast and Gulf services.
Diesel, fuel surcharges, and tight LTL capacity continue to keep inland transportation costs elevated.
Market Signals to Monitor
The August 31 update points to a mixed market: late-August NBR pricing is firmer, upstream petrochemical costs remain volatile, import demand is resilient, ocean freight faces new September pressure, and U.S. transportation remains fuel-driven.
China reached approximately ¥7,600–7,650/ton by August 31, while Malaysia and Thailand remained near $1,150–$1,200/ton.
Recent crude oil swings continue to drive butadiene and acrylonitrile cost volatility.
Resilient import demand, Panama Canal slot reductions, and announced September increases support continued pressure into the fall.
Higher diesel, elevated fuel surcharges, and tight LTL capacity continue to support inland cost pressure.
NBR Latex Price Trend
June 15–August 31, 2026Latest Update Summary
Late-August NBR pricing is firmer, while feedstock volatility, resilient import demand, Panama Canal tightening, September ocean rate increases, and fuel-driven U.S. transportation costs remain the primary planning signals.
- NBR pricing: China moved to approximately ¥7,600–7,650/ton by August 31; Malaysia and Thailand remain around $1,150–$1,200/ton
- Feedstocks: Crude oil swings continue to influence butadiene and acrylonitrile volatility
- Upstream supply: Tighter petrochemical supply may constrain nitrile latex output and tighten spot availability
- Import demand: Long Beach recorded its second-busiest July on record, while Los Angeles + Long Beach volumes remained near record levels into August
- Ocean freight: Panama Canal tightening and announced September 1 rate increases point to continued pressure
- U.S. transportation: Diesel is approximately $5.652/gal, with elevated LTL and FTL fuel surcharges and tight LTL capacity
Market Dynamics & Sea Freight
Import demand remains resilient, while Panama Canal slot reductions, route adjustments, and announced September carrier increases create additional planning pressure for East Coast and Gulf services.
Long Beach logged its second-busiest July on record, while Los Angeles + Long Beach volumes stayed near record levels into August.
Daily transit slots are scheduled to be reduced on September 3 and again on September 15, increasing the potential for longer waits without confirmed reservations.
Some carriers are exploring Cape of Good Hope routings on select vessels to relieve canal congestion, though transit times are longer.
Carriers have started announcing September 1 rate increases, adding another cost signal to monitor.
Operational Outlook: Strong import demand, Panama Canal tightening, and announced September increases point to continued pressure on East Coast and Gulf services into the fall.
U.S. Transportation Market Update
The U.S. freight market continues to face fuel-driven cost pressure. Base FTL rates softened slightly, but elevated diesel and related fuel surcharges continue to keep overall transportation costs high.
Higher diesel remains the main driver of elevated U.S. land transportation costs.
LTL capacity remains tight as more freight shifts from FTL, with fuel surcharges materially increasing costs.
FTL spot rates softened slightly in the late-summer period, but fuel costs remain a significant pressure.
Fuel-related add-ons continue to affect total landed transportation costs.
Key Takeaway: The primary driver of higher U.S. transportation costs is elevated diesel and related fuel surcharges. LTL capacity remains tight, while FTL pricing has softened somewhat but remains exposed to fuel pressure.
Why Upstream Cost Signals Matter to Gloves
Nitrile gloves are connected to the petrochemical supply chain. Changes in crude oil, butadiene, acrylonitrile, and upstream petrochemical availability can move downstream into NBR pricing, glove manufacturing costs, and finished-product supply conditions.
Feedstock cost swings
Recent crude oil swings continue to influence butadiene and acrylonitrile cost volatility.
Upstream supply can tighten
Tighter petrochemical supply may constrain nitrile latex output and tighten spot availability.
NBR affects glove planning
Late-August pricing remains firm enough to warrant continued monitoring even after the broader regional downturn.
Bottom line: The regional downturn has reduced NBR pricing from earlier levels, but late-August firming, volatile upstream costs, and tighter logistics conditions mean buyers should continue monitoring the full supply chain rather than relying on raw material pricing alone.
How Pressure Reaches Glove Users
Glove supply depends on more than finished goods inventory. Pressure can begin upstream and move through feedstocks, NBR production, manufacturing, ocean freight, inland transportation, and distribution before affecting end users.
Current Impact on Glove Planning
The August 31 update does not point to one single market constraint. Instead, buyers should consider how firmer NBR pricing, upstream volatility, ocean freight pressure, and elevated inland transportation costs work together.
NBR pricing is firmer late in August
China shows the clearest upward move, while Malaysia and Thailand remain comparatively steady.
Upstream volatility remains relevant
Crude oil, butadiene, acrylonitrile, and petrochemical supply conditions can still influence nitrile latex cost and availability.
Ocean freight pressure is building into September
Strong imports, Panama Canal tightening, route changes, and announced September increases can affect East Coast and Gulf planning.
U.S. transportation remains fuel-driven
Elevated diesel and fuel surcharges continue to keep landed transportation costs high even as some FTL rates soften.
Recommended Planning Actions
Use these actions to support glove continuity while raw material pricing firms, ocean freight faces new pressure, and U.S. transportation remains elevated.
Update forecasts
Review usage by SKU, site, department, and critical application so purchasing decisions reflect current demand and logistics conditions.
Review safety stock
Identify critical products where longer routing, canal constraints, or fuel-driven inland costs could create additional exposure.
Pre-approve alternatives
Validate acceptable backup gloves before supply, routing, or transportation conditions limit sourcing flexibility.
Talk to suppliers early
Ask about current NBR exposure, September freight changes, routing options, lead times, and landed transportation cost pressure.
Questions to Ask Your Glove Supplier
These questions help buyers translate current market signals into better sourcing and continuity decisions.
What is your current supply outlook?
Ask by product family and critical SKU, not only overall inventory.
Which costs are most exposed?
Understand NBR pricing, feedstock volatility, ocean freight changes, diesel, fuel surcharges, and inland transportation exposure.
What alternatives should we approve now?
Identify equivalent gloves before availability, transit timing, or landed costs become more restrictive.
Are lead times or routing options changing?
Confirm current ocean routing, canal exposure, delivery windows, and any implications for East Coast or Gulf destinations.
Can you support allocation planning?
Ask whether critical products can be prioritized, scheduled, or forecasted in advance.
What should we decide this month?
Turn current raw material, freight, and transportation signals into specific sourcing and inventory actions.
How SW Helps Customers Stay Prepared
SW supports more resilient glove programs by helping customers evaluate products, plan ahead, and reduce reactive decision-making as market conditions change.
Assurance
Product quality, documentation, and reliable standards that support confident glove decisions.
Assistance
Guidance, product comparison, and support for evaluating acceptable alternatives and supply options.
Advantage
Market visibility, innovation, sustainability, and long-term value for stronger glove programs.
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