What this means: Regional NBR latex prices remain well below spring highs and are now broadly steady across China, Malaysia, and Thailand. Crude oil volatility is still important because higher oil prices can lift butadiene costs and create delayed upward pressure on nitrile latex, but downstream glove demand continues to play a major role in pricing. Freight conditions remain firm as August rate increases hold, East Coast and Gulf routings stay tighter, and U.S. transportation costs remain elevated.
Regional spot quotations remain broadly steady into mid-August.
Higher crude oil can lift butadiene costs and create delayed upward pressure on nitrile latex.
August increases are holding while East Coast and Gulf routings remain tighter.
Diesel, fuel surcharges, LTL costs, and truckload constraints remain elevated.
Market Signals to Monitor
The August 10 update shows broadly steady NBR pricing, continued crude oil volatility, potential delayed feedstock pressure, firm August ocean pricing, tighter East Coast and Gulf routing, and elevated U.S. transportation costs.
Middle East geopolitical tensions continue keeping crude oil risk premiums volatile.
Higher crude oil prices can lift butadiene costs, creating upward pressure on nitrile latex with a time lag.
Nitrile latex pricing depends not only on oil costs, but also heavily on downstream glove demand.
August pricing remains firm while East Coast and Gulf routings continue to face tighter space.
NBR Latex Price Trend
May–Aug 2026Latest Update Summary
Regional NBR latex pricing remains broadly stable after the earlier downturn. Crude oil volatility may create delayed feedstock pressure, but downstream glove demand remains an important counterbalance. Freight and U.S. transportation costs continue to be the primary operational variables to monitor.
- NBR pricing: Regional spot quotations remain broadly steady into mid-August
- Crude oil: Middle East tensions continue keeping oil risk premiums volatile
- Feedstock pressure: Higher crude can lift butadiene costs and create delayed upward pressure on nitrile latex
- Demand: Downstream glove demand remains a major influence on nitrile latex pricing
- Ocean freight: August increases are holding while East Coast and Gulf routings remain tighter
- U.S. transportation: Diesel, fuel surcharges, LTL rates, and truckload constraints remain elevated
Market Dynamics & Sea Freight
Freight conditions remain firm. Capacity has recovered and stabilized near 88%–90%, but typhoon-related disruption east of China is causing missed connections and origin-port congestion. August rate increases are holding, and East Coast and Gulf routings remain tighter than West Coast lanes.
Capacity has recovered and stabilized slightly above the July average, while typhoon disruption is creating missed connections and origin-port congestion.
The August 1 rate increase has been successfully implemented and is holding, supported by sustained high demand.
Consider alternative West Coast routing when East Coast and Gulf lanes tighten.
Secure space early, especially for East Coast and Gulf destinations.
Operational Outlook: Space remains firm and East Coast / Gulf routings are tighter. Typhoon disruption and stronger August pricing continue to support elevated freight conditions.
U.S. Transportation Market Update
Compared with last week, the main changes are higher diesel, higher fuel surcharges, and a modest increase in LTL spot rates. Capacity conditions remain firm, with continued LTL tightening, carrier selectivity, and constrained truckload availability.
National average diesel is approximately $5.35/gal, while higher fuel surcharges are increasing transportation costs.
More freight shifting into the LTL market continues tightening network capacity.
Regional capacity constraints and carrier selectivity remain, while truckload availability continues to stay tight.
Dry van rates remain around $2.00–$3.30/mi with no major overall trend change versus last week.
Transportation Snapshot: Diesel ~$5.35/gal | LTL FSC 42%–51% | FTL FSC $0.62–$0.85/mi | LTL spot ~$532/pallet | Dry van $2.00–$3.30/mi | Market tone: firm.
Why Oil and Gas Disruption Matters to Gloves
Nitrile gloves are connected to the petrochemical supply chain. When oil, gas, refinery output, or chemical feedstocks become more volatile, the impact can move downstream into NBR availability, glove production costs, freight costs, and finished glove pricing.
Oil risk still matters
Hormuz shipping uncertainty can support oil prices even when NBR feedstock costs are falling.
Feedstocks are currently softer
Butadiene and acrylonitrile have dropped sharply, supporting softer NBR offers in the current market update.
NBR affects glove planning
As NBR pricing moves lower, buyer timing, freight booking, and supplier communication become important planning considerations.
Bottom line: NBR pricing has stabilized at lower levels, but crude oil volatility, firm August freight pricing, and elevated U.S. transportation costs still require active monitoring.
How Pressure Reaches Glove Users
Glove supply depends on more than finished goods inventory. Pressure can begin upstream and move through raw materials, production, ocean freight, inland transportation, and distribution before affecting end users.
Current Impact on Glove Planning
The August 10 update shows NBR pricing remaining broadly stable, while crude oil volatility, firm August ocean pricing, routing pressure, and elevated U.S. transportation costs continue to affect planning.
NBR pricing remains broadly stable
Regional spot quotations continue trading within relatively narrow ranges into mid-August.
Crude oil may create delayed feedstock pressure
Higher crude oil prices can lift butadiene costs and create upward pressure on nitrile latex with a time lag.
Freight conditions remain firm
August rate increases are holding, typhoon-related disruption is affecting connections, and East Coast/Gulf routing remains tighter.
U.S. transportation costs remain elevated
Diesel and fuel surcharges have increased, while LTL tightening and constrained truckload capacity continue supporting firm inland costs.
Recommended Planning Actions
Use this checklist to support glove continuity while NBR pricing remains stable, freight conditions stay firm, and U.S. transportation costs remain elevated.
Update forecasts
Review usage by SKU, site, department, and critical application so purchasing decisions reflect stable NBR pricing and firm freight conditions.
Check safety stock
Identify products where typhoon disruption, tighter East Coast/Gulf routing, or inland transportation pressure could disrupt safety or operations.
Pre-approve alternatives
Validate acceptable backup gloves before freight constraints, route changes, or transportation costs limit sourcing flexibility.
Talk to suppliers early
Ask for current offers, East Coast/Gulf routing exposure, booking windows, applicable August freight increases, lead times, and transportation cost visibility.
Questions to Ask Your Glove Supplier
These questions help buyers understand risk exposure and make better sourcing decisions during changing market conditions.
What is your current supply outlook?
Ask by product family, not just overall inventory.
Which costs are most exposed?
Understand NBR stability, crude oil sensitivity, butadiene exposure, August ocean pricing, route constraints, diesel, fuel surcharges, and inland transportation costs.
What alternatives should we approve now?
Identify equivalent gloves before availability or transit timing becomes limited.
Are lead times changing?
Confirm current delivery windows for ocean freight, inland delivery, and stocked products.
Can you support allocation planning?
Ask whether critical products can be prioritized, scheduled, or forecasted in advance.
What should we decide this month?
Turn market updates into specific sourcing, inventory, and freight planning actions.
How SW Helps Customers Stay Prepared
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Assurance
Product quality, documentation, and reliable standards that support confident glove decisions.
Assistance
Guidance, product comparison, and support for evaluating acceptable alternatives.
Advantage
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