Overview

• Researchers report Taiwan bought $1.3 billion of Russian naphtha in the first half of 2025, with average monthly volumes nearly six times 2022 levels and 44% higher than the first half of 2024.
• Since February 2022, Taiwan has imported 6.8 million tonnes worth $4.9 billion, accounting for roughly 20% of Russia’s total naphtha exports.
• About 72% of Taiwan’s Russian naphtha was supplied by Novatec, a company under U.S. sanctions, underscoring concentration and compliance risks.
• The NGO consortium estimates the trade generated around $1.7 billion in mineral extraction tax revenues for Russia, adding to funds used in its war against Ukraine.
• Taiwan supports Ukraine and joined sanctions after 2022 yet has not restricted Russian fossil-fuel imports, as naphtha is key to semiconductor chemicals and the island imports about 97% of its energy.