The Alliance for Resource & Climate Justice Center (ARC Center) has published an issue brief analyzing South Korea’s import structure of palm oil and palm oil derivatives based on Korea Customs Service import statistics from the past decade (2016–2025).
This study is significant in that it goes beyond the conventional focus on HS 1511 (“Palm Oil and Its Fractions”) and examines a broader range of palm oil derivatives, including refined & fractionated oils, chemically modified fats & oils, palm oil by-products, and biodiesel. The analysis highlights how palm oil is linked not only to the food industry, but also extensively connected to industrial and energy sectors.
Key Findings
- South Korea’s cumulative imports of palm oil and palm oil derivatives reached approximately 9.01 billion kg between 2016 and 2025
- Approximately 93.7% of total imports originated from Indonesia and Malaysia
- Refined, Bleached, and Deodorized Palm Oil (HS 1511909000) accounted for the largest share, representing approximately 33.3% of total import volume
- By-products & Chemical Feedstocks (HS 3823199000) accounted for approximately 31.2% of total import volume and were closely linked to biofuel feedstock flows
- South Korea’s biodiesel import structure has recently shifted rapidly toward China-centered supply chains
- The study raises concerns regarding supply chain transparency and accountability amid the expansion of domestic biofuel industries
ARC Center also noted that future research will further track major importing companies and industrial sectors by product group in order to identify which industries in South Korea are most heavily linked to imported palm oil and palm oil derivatives.