Taiwan has become the world’s largest importer of Russian naphtha, despite its support for Ukraine, according to a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. Between January and June 2025, the island imported 1.9 million metric tonnes of the hydrocarbon liquid, worth about $1.3 billion. This volume is six times higher than the monthly average for the same period three years earlier. Naphtha is a key feedstock for petrochemical and semiconductor production, making it essential to Taiwan’s industrial sector.
Since the Ukraine conflict escalated in February 2022, Taiwan has bought a total of 6.8 million tonnes of Russian naphtha, valued at $4.9 billion, while providing only $50 million in aid to Ukraine. The surge in Russian imports has raised concerns among Taiwanese officials, especially given China’s deepening ties with Moscow. Beijing regards Taiwan as an inseparable part of its territory, prompting worries about dependence on a single supplier that may not recognize Taiwan’s sovereignty. Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Chen Kuan‑ting stressed the need for diversification, warning that Taiwan cannot rely on one country or company that could be hostile.
The report also notes that some importers have paid prices above the G7‑imposed $45‑per‑barrel cap on seaborne Russian naphtha, potentially exposing them to secondary sanctions. The increase in imports has been driven mainly by private companies, while state‑owned firms have cut their purchases since the conflict began. Formosa Petrochemical Corp, a major supplier to Taiwan’s chip industry, accounted for 96 % of Russian naphtha imports from 2022 to mid‑2025.
Taiwan’s heavy reliance on imports to meet its energy demand is evident, with 95 % of its energy needs being satisfied by imports in 2024. In June, other major buyers of Russian naphtha included India, China, Singapore, Malaysia and Turkey. The findings have significant implications for Taiwan’s energy security and its relationship with Russia, and are likely to be closely monitored by officials and industry leaders in the coming months.
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