SEOUL, South Korea / RankWire.AI / – South Korea’s semiconductor exports surged 222.5% year on year to $27.5 billion in the first 20 days of October, driving total exports to $61.6 billion. Overall outbound shipments more than doubled from the same period last year, according to data released on Wednesday by the Korea Customs Service. Chips accounted for 44.7% of all exports during the period. The figures pointed to record shipments of semiconductors.
The average value of exports per working day reached $4.74 billion. That marked the highest daily average ever recorded for the first 20 days of any month. Imports rose 42.8% year on year to $47.1 billion. As a result, South Korea posted a trade surplus of $14.5 billion over the 20-day period. Exports exceeded imports by about 31%.
The jump in chip exports implies shipments of roughly $8.5 billion in the same period a year earlier. Semiconductors were by far the largest contributor to export growth. Korean chipmakers such as Samsung have been expanding their memory product lines for AI systems. The latest data underline the central role of semiconductors in the country’s trade performance.
Petroleum, cars and steel add to export gains
Exports of petroleum products climbed 68.3% from a year earlier. Automobile shipments rose 40.9%, while exports of steel products increased 42.6%. These gains broadened the export recovery beyond the chip sector. Together with semiconductors, the four product groups led growth across South Korea’s main industries during the period.
By destination, exports to the United States rose 154.9% and shipments to China grew 154.4%. Exports to Vietnam and the European Union also increased, the customs agency said. The near-identical growth rates for the two largest markets show demand rising strongly in both China and the US. Exports to all four major destinations moved higher at the same time.
Annual exports near the $900 billion mark
From the start of the year through Tuesday, October 20, South Korea’s exports totalled $876.3 billion. The cumulative trade surplus for the year reached $266.9 billion. Exports had already shown strong momentum in recent months. In August, they rose 68.7% to $98.25 billion, according to earlier data.
The 20-day figures provide an early read on South Korea’s trade performance for October. Full-month data are usually published at the start of the following month. Semiconductor shipments, now nearly 45% of total exports, remain the key driver to watch. Continued gains in petroleum products, automobiles and steel point to broader strength in the export economy.