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South Korea's Early March Exports Hit All-Time High, Driven by Semiconductor Boom
Early March Exports Reach Record High
South Korea's exports from March 1 to 10 totaled $21.5 billion, a 55.6% increase compared to the same period last year, setting a new all-time high for that timeframe. According to preliminary figures from the Korea Customs Service, this achievement was made even as the US-Iran war continued. The daily average export value was tallied at $3.3 billion, up 31.7% from the previous year.
Semiconductor Exports Lead the Way, Key Items and Country-Specific Fluctuations
This export surge was spearheaded by semiconductors. Semiconductor exports soared by 175.9% year-on-year to $7.6 billion, accounting for 35.3% of total exports. Petroleum products saw a 44.1% increase, passenger cars a 13.9% rise, and computer peripherals a 372.1% surge. In contrast, ship exports decreased by 61.9%. By destination, exports to China jumped 91.2%, to the United States 69.9%, and to Vietnam 62.4%. Exports to Taiwan also increased by 126.8%. Conversely, exports to the European Union (EU) fell by 6.4%.
Import Trends and Trade Surplus
During the same period, imports rose by 21.7% year-on-year to $19.4 billion. Semiconductor imports increased by 53.5%, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment imports by 10.4%. In contrast, crude oil imports fell by 1.4%, and gas imports by 6.4%. Imports from China increased by 30.6%, from the EU by 41.3%, from the United States by 22.8%, from Japan by 29.5%, and from Taiwan by 15.7%. Consequently, the trade balance recorded a surplus of $2.1 billion.
*Source: Yahoo! News (2026-03-12)*
