South Korea's exports rose 104.9% last month, reaching a record $120.9 billion
Quick Look
- South Korea's exports rose 104.9% year-on-year last month to a record $120.9 billion, according to Bloomberg data.
- The growth was driven by a sharp increase in shipments of chips (+263%), computers (+435%) and petroleum products (+72%), while automobile exports decreased by 5%.
- The trade surplus amounted to almost $50 billion with imports growing by 26%.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
South Korea's export performance has traditionally been driven by global demand for technology, especially chips. The rise in exports last month reflects a recovery in global demand after a period of decline.
South Korea's exports rose 104.9 percent last month compared with the same period last year. Bloomberg reported this.
The value of these supplies to foreign markets reached $120.9 billion, which was a record. The same applies to export figures for the nine months of 2026, which were estimated at $814.5 billion. Imports rose 26 percent, resulting in a trade surplus of nearly $50 billion.
The unprecedented statistic was driven by chip exports, which grew 263 percent year-on-year to a record $60.3 billion. Deliveries of computers increased by 435 percent, and petroleum products by 72 percent. At the same time, car exports fell by five percent.
It is clarified that supplies to China increased by 123 percent, and to the United States by 137 percent. India and the European Union increased purchases of South Korean products by 50 and 21 percent, respectively.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
South Korea's exports will maintain strong growth in the coming months thanks to robust chip demand
Likely · Within months
South Korea's trade surplus will remain significant if export growth continues at current rates and import growth remains moderate.
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- How long will the current export growth rate continue?
- What factors may affect future import performance?
- How will changes in export structure affect employment in different industries?
