In South Korea, total ethanol imports fell 41.06% month on month to 22,668 mt in July, data released Monday by the Korea Customs Service showed. Ethanol imports in July were, however, 6.65% higher year on year, according to S&P Global Platts. The import volume of undenatured ethanol fell 36.55% month on month to 10,355 mt in July. Pakistan was the biggest supplier of undenatured ethanol during the month, accounting for 69.7%, followed by Brazil at 17.68%. Australia has been the biggest supplier of undenatured ethanol to South Korea so far this year, accounting for 35.05% of the total 82,582 mt of the imports since January.
For denatured ethanol, South Korea’s imports fell 44.38% month on month to 12,312 mt in July, of which 91.47% came from the US. On the export front, South Korea’s total ethanol shipments rose 24.97% month on month to 4,969 mt in July. Japan remained the top export destination in July at 4,947 mt, accounting for all of South Korea’s ethanol exports. The total exports were only 20 mt in July, steady from June. Thailand was the top destination for denatured ethanol, accounting for 80% of the total exports.