* GRAPHIC - Asia's crude imports vs. Brent price: tmsnrt.rs/3uGyhqB LAUNCESTON, Australia, June 3 (Reuters) - Crude oil futures have climbed to an 18-month high, but the physical market in the top-consuming region of Asia is lagging the gains amid ongoing soft demand and contracting refinery profit margins. Brent crude futures reached an intraday peak of $71.48 a barrel on Wednesday, the highest since January 2020, before ending at $71.35, while the U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate reached $69.00 during the session, its highest since October 2018. The rally in the two biggest crude futures contracts came amid optimism of a rebound in demand, especially in North America and Europe, as well as the decision by the OPEC+ producer group to stick with their plan to gradually ease production curbs through July.