South Korea's exports of isomer-grade mixed xylenes rose 17.9%, or 10,528 mt, from a month earlier to 69,207 mt in September, customs data released Monday showed.
Year on year, exports fell 14.8%, or 11,994 mt.
Taiwan continued to be South Korea's main isomer-MX export destination for the third month, with 41,913 mt in September, up 20.4%, or 7,104 mt from August.
South Korea's exports to China jumped 29.8%, or 4,697 mt, from a month earlier to 20,470 mt in September.
"Tight supply and low inventory levels in China reinforced the increasing exports of isomer-MX to China," a South Korean trader explained. According to Platts data, the inventory level of isomer-MX in East China was estimated at 21,000 mt, while in South China it was 6,000 mt on October 7.
Meanwhile, the country's imports of isomer-MX tumbled 53%, or 18,024 mt from August to 77,506 mt in September.
US regained its spot as South Korea's main isomer-MX supplier in September with 56,225 mt, up 35,341 mt from August. South Korea's isomer-MX imports from Japan stood at 34,027 mt.
