Taiwan's Naphtha Imports from Russia Surge Despite Sanctions
Taiwan's dependence on Russian naphtha has surged significantly in the first half of 2025, despite global sanctions and pressure from the US. Naphtha, a crucial feedstock for Taiwan's thriving petrochemical and semiconductor industries, has seen a surge in imports from Russia, making Taiwan the world's largest importer during this period.
Taiwan imported a staggering $1.3 billion worth of naphtha from Russia in the first half of 2025, totalling 1.9 million tonnes. This marks a significant increase from previous years, with Taiwanese companies collectively boosting their imports. Despite joining western-led sanctions, Taiwan has not restricted Russian fossil fuel imports, particularly naphtha.
Russia has emerged as Taiwan's largest source of naphtha imports, with the island nation spending over $4.9 billion on Russian naphtha since 2022. This reliance on Russian supplies exposes Taiwan to potential disruptions, given the geopolitical tensions with China. However, Taiwan has taken steps to diversify its energy sources, with state-owned enterprises stopping crude oil imports from Russia in 2023. Additionally, Taiwan has halted exports of high-tech products to Russia.
Taiwan's increased reliance on Russian naphtha for its critical industries has raised concerns about potential supply disruptions. While Taiwan has not restricted naphtha imports, it has taken steps to diversify its energy sources and limit high-tech exports to Russia. The situation highlights the delicate balance Taiwan must maintain in its international relations, particularly with the US and China.
