South Korea imported 16,769 mt of ethanol in August, up 34% from July, and up 5.6% on the same month a year ago, according to customs data released Friday.
The biggest increase was seen in imports of undenatured ethanol, which surged 259% from July to 9,840 mt, and were up 13% year on year.
Pakistan and Brazil, South Korea's usual source of undenatured ethanol, were displaced by Australia, which, after an absence of eight months, shipped 4,184 mt to the east Asian country last month August.
Undenatured imports from Brazil were up 590% at 2,809 mt, while Pakistan provided 2,805 mt, up 130% from July.
Denatured imports, however, fell 29% from 9,786 mt in July to 6,929 mt August, but were up 3.2% year on year.
Vietnam was the top supplier of the month, shipping a total of 3,326 mt, up 93% from July. However, denatured imports from Pakistan were down 22% to 3,073 mt.
Denatured ethanol has chemical additives to make it inedible and is used mainly for fuel blending, pharmaceuticals and as feedstock for petrochemicals. Undenatured ethanol is typically used in beverages.
