Oil Extends Rally After US Bans Russian Imports, Prompting Supply Fears

An oil pump is seen at sunset outside Vaudoy-en-Brie, near Paris, France April 23, 2018. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
An oil pump is seen at sunset outside Vaudoy-en-Brie, near Paris, France April 23, 2018. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
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Oil Extends Rally After US Bans Russian Imports, Prompting Supply Fears

An oil pump is seen at sunset outside Vaudoy-en-Brie, near Paris, France April 23, 2018. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
An oil pump is seen at sunset outside Vaudoy-en-Brie, near Paris, France April 23, 2018. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

Oil prices rose on Wednesday as the US ban on Russian oil imports and Britain's plan to phase them out by year end raised concerns of tighter global supply.

Brent crude futures were up $2.17, or 1.7%, at $130.15 a barrel at 0133 GMT, after jumping 3.9% the previous day.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up $1.57, or 1.3%, at $125.27 a barrel, after also surging 3.6% on Tuesday.

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday imposed an immediate ban on Russian oil and other energy imports and Britain said it would phase out Russian oil imports through the end of 2022.

Oil prices have surged more than 30% since Russia, the world's second-largest crude exporter, invaded Ukraine.

Fears of further disruptions to oil supply amid escalating sanctions on Moscow has boosted buying, Reuters quoted analysts as saying.

"On top of the US and Britain's announcement effects, fears of further disruptions of supply from Russia due to intensifying sanctions on Moscow prompted fresh buying," said Hiroyuki Kikukawa, general manager of research at Nissan Securities.

"But Monday's highs will likely become a ceiling for the short term as speculative buying is expected to slow down soon and countries in the northern hemisphere are headed to spring when fuel demand drops," he said.

Oil prices jumped on Monday to their highest levels since July 2008, with Brent hitting $139.13 a barrel and WTI $130.50.

Behind the rally was also expectations that an imminent return of Iranian crude to global markets was unlikely, as talks on Iran's nuclear program have slowed between Tehran and world powers.

Analysts at Oslo-based consultancy Rystad Energy said on Tuesday that global oil prices could rise to $200 a barrel if Europe and the United States ban imports of Russian oil.

Still, oil prices running at their hottest level in 14 years are poised to cut post-COVID pandemic fuel demand as consumers react to surging pump and power prices by pulling back on spending and travel, top energy executives warned on Monday.

US crude stocks rose by 2.8 million barrels for the week ended March 4, against analysts' forecast of a drop, but gasoline and distillate stocks fell, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday.



South Korea’s Food Exports Rose to $6.2 Billion in 6 Months

A worker at a supermarket in South Korea puts bags of instant noodles on the shelves (Yonhap news agency)
A worker at a supermarket in South Korea puts bags of instant noodles on the shelves (Yonhap news agency)
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South Korea’s Food Exports Rose to $6.2 Billion in 6 Months

A worker at a supermarket in South Korea puts bags of instant noodles on the shelves (Yonhap news agency)
A worker at a supermarket in South Korea puts bags of instant noodles on the shelves (Yonhap news agency)

South Korea's exports of food and related goods rose 5.2% on-year in the first half of 2024, government data showed, led by the popularity of instant noodles and processed rice products.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said that outbound shipments of the food segment known as “K-Food Plus” reached $6.21 billion, compared with $5.9 billion posted a year earlier, the country’s Yonhap new agency reported on Saturday.
K-Food Plus encompasses a diverse range of food products and related items, from fresh and processed goods to agricultural equipment and solutions.
By product, exports of instant noodles jumped 32.3% to hit $590.2 million, with those of processed rice products gaining 41.4 percent to $136.9 million, the data showed.
The ministry attributed the growth in instant noodle exports to the popularity of social media content featuring spicy product challenges, as well as the release of customized products by exporters.
South Korean rice products also gained popularity, as frozen gimbap, or seaweed rice rolls, attracted significant attention in the US market as a gluten-free and healthy eating option, the ministry said.
By destination, exports to the US surged 17%, reaching $736 million, driven by increased demand due to revitalized consumer spending, a stabilizing labor market and eased inflation.
Exports to China also edged up 3.1% to $702 million, as exporters utilized online platforms and influencers to promote South Korean foodstuffs.
Shipments to Japan, on the other hand, declined by 7% during the period to $671.3 million, due to the reduced spending power of Japanese consumers, the ministry added.