Kota Kinabalu: Latex prices in Sabah rose to RM9.89 per kg this month from RM6.89 in December 2025, while cuplump climbed to RM5.61 per kg from RM3.53, according to records by the State Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Ministry.
Data shared by the Ministry showed latex gained RM2.97 per kg over the past 10 months. Cuplump rose RM2.08 per kg over the same period.
The increase brought relief to thousands of smallholders and rubber tappers across the State.
Its Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar (pic) said the gains were not a coincidence but the result of continuous efforts and strategic planning by the Ministry and the Sabah Rubber Industry Board (LIGS) to strengthen the management of the local rubber industry.
“We hope this upward trend remains stable and climbs even higher. The Ministry and LIGS are committed to managing and strengthening the rubber industry in Sabah so that the welfare and living standards of smallholders continue to be looked after,” he said.
Jamawi urged Sabahans with abandoned rubber plots to start working their land again. He called on landowners and tappers to take advantage of the current prices to boost household income.
He said rubber remained a major contributor to rural socioeconomic growth in Sabah. The higher prices were expected to motivate growers to improve tapping productivity and the quality of their produce.
To support the momentum, LIGS and the Ministry will continue to roll out assistance programmes and technical advisory services, and improve marketing infrastructure.
The aim is to keep the supply chain efficient, fair and competitive, reduce market uncertainty and protect smallholders from sudden price drops.
Rubber tapper Albinus Kunjan, when met, said the price increase had encouraged tappers to keep working their rubber plots.
He hoped the government would build processing factories in the interior, which he said would also create jobs for people living there.
