October Exports Hit Highest Level Ever

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Semiconductors and automobiles boost Korea’s export drive
 

Last month, Korea’s exports continued to show positive growth for 13 consecutive months. Exports achieved the highest performance on a monthly basis, and set a ‘highest ever’ record for three consecutive months since August. Last month’s export performance was led by semiconductors and automobiles. Both items recorded the highest performance ever in the same month, leading October’s exports.

Exports to Korea’s two major export markets also showed signs of greater activity. Exports to China increased 10.9% year-on-year to US$12.2 billion, achieving the highest performance in 25 months, while exports to the USA also showed the highest monthly performance of $10.4 billion (+3.4%). In particular, exports to China showed the highest performance of the year in just one month.

According to the ‘October Export and Import Trends’ recently announced by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), exports last month increased by 4.6% year-on-year to $57.52 billion, surpassing the October 2021 performance ($55.7 billion), and recording the largest export amount in October ever.
Among the 15 major export items, exports of 10 items increased, with the largest export item of semiconductors rising for 12 consecutive months.

Exports of semiconductors, a ‘good-selling item,’ recorded the highest performance in October ever at $12.5 billion (+40.3%), breaking the record for the highest performance in October in six years, compared with $11.6 billion in October 2018. MOTIE analyzed that solid demand for semiconductors will continue, centered on high-value memory, due to new investments in AI servers and increased demand for replacement of general servers.

Computer exports also continued to show a good level of demand compared to the previous year, centered on enterprise SSDs. Computers continued to increase for 10 consecutive months, with a double-digit increase (+54.1%) to $1 billion. Exports of IT items such as wireless communication devices (+19.7%) also increased for eight consecutive months, recording $2 billion.
Automobile exports, the second-largest export item, recorded $6.2 billion, up +5.5% year-on-year.

Automobiles also achieved their highest performance in October, and renewed their monthly highest export performance for the second month in a row.

Automobiles are continuing the ‘new car effect,’ while hybrid car exports are also showing a favorable trend. It is evaluated that the increase was also due to the expansion of production through weekend overtime and overtime work at GM Korea. Automobile parts also recorded $1.9 billion, up 5.9%, and turning positive for the first time in three months, thanks to the favorable export trend.

Steel exports recorded $2.9 billion, up +8.8%, breaking the negative trend of the past eight months and turning positive. Petrochemical exports showed a recovery, recording positive figures for the first time in two months, while textile and home appliance exports recorded positive figures for the first time in three months. Petrochemical exports increased by 10.2% to $4 billion, while textiles and home appliances increased by 2.5% and 5%, respectively.

Petroleum product exports recorded $3.4 billion, down -34.9% year-on-year, due to factors such as a decline in product prices linked to oil prices.

Among the nine major export markets, exports to five countries, including China and the United States, increased. In particular, exports to China recorded $12.2 billion (+10.9%), the highest in 25 months since September 2022, as semiconductor and petrochemical exports increased significantly.

Exports to the United States also recorded $10.4 billion (+3.4%), the highest performance in October ever.
Exports to China have been over $10 billion for eight consecutive months, breaking the record for the highest month of the year in just one month, while exports to the United States have been breaking monthly records for 15 consecutive months.
 
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Korea’s Exports Showing Continuous Positive Trends

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The nation’s September exports increased by 7.5% from the same month last year, continuing the 12-month positive export trend. According to data recently released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), exports recorded the highest performance ever for September and the highest performance this year at US$58.77 bil. The average daily exports in September were recorded at $2.94 bil., increasing by 12.9%.
Among the 15 major export items, the largest increases were in semiconductors, wireless communication devices, computers, automobiles, ships, and bio-health items.
Semiconductor exports, the largest export item, increased by 37.1% to $13.6 billion. These broke the record for the first time in three months since June and continued the 11-month consecutive increase. Computer exports increased by 132% to $1.5 billion, growing for nine consecutive months; and exports of wireless communication devices increased by 19% to $1.9 billion, rising for seven consecutive months.

Automobile exports, the second largest export item, recorded $5.5 billion, up 4.9% year-on-year despite a decrease in the number of operating days (-1.0 days). They turned positive for the first time in four months, achieving the highest performance as of September.
Ship exports increased by 76.2% to $2.4 billion, and the growth rate exceeded 50% for the second consecutive month. Bio-health exports also grew by 9.9% to $1.2 billion, increasing for the third consecutive month.
Exports to China increased by 6.3% to $11.7 billion, the highest performance this year, due to an increase in Korea’s exports of semiconductors and wireless communication devices. The trade balance with China also turned to a surplus ($500 million) for the first time in seven months, thanks to the favorable export trend.
Exports to the United States increased by 3.4% to $10.4 billion, the highest ever in September, and renewing its monthly record for 14 consecutive months.
Exports to the EU increased by 5.1% to $6 billion, with a significant increase in exports of IT items such as wireless communications and computers. It has recorded its highest monthly export record for two consecutive months.


 
 
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Korea’s Exports in August Reach $57.9 Bn

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Recording 11th consecutive month of positive growth
Last month’s exports by Korea reached US$57.9 billion, continuing an 11-month upward trend. In particular, semiconductor exports achieved the highest performance ever in August, adding to the momentum. Cumulative exports to China surpassed those to the United States for the first time this year, becoming the largest export destination again.
Recently, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced that exports last month increased 11.4% year-on-year to $57.9 billion, while imports increased 6% to $54.07 billion. The positive trade balance thus reached $3.83 billion, continuing to show a surplus for 15 consecutive months.
By sector, semiconductor exports increased 38.8% year-on-year to $11.9 billion, showing a positive trend for the 4th consecutive month of over $11 billion. Computer exports increased 183% to $1.5 billion, a triple-digit increase. Wireless communication device exports also increased by 54% to $1.8 billion.

owever, due to the modernization of some companies’ production lines and the decrease in operating rates due to wage and group negotiations ― but ship exports increased by 80% to $2.8 billion, turning positive for the first time in three months.
By region, eight out of nine major markets showed favorable trends. The region with the largest exports by Korea was China, which recorded $11.4 billion ― up 7.9% due to the improved business conditions in the information and communication technology (IT) industry.
Exports to China reached $86.2 billion from January to August this year, surpassing exports to the United States during the same period, emerging as the largest export country.
Exports to the USA increased by 15.5% to $84.7 billion due to favorable market trends in IT items such as semiconductors and computers.

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Uptrend of Korea’s Exports

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Continuing to see growth of exports to global markets

Korea’s exports in June increased by 5.1% compared to the same period last year, showing an uptrend for the ninth consecutive month.
By item, exports of six out of 15 major export items increased in June, and exports of all IT items (semiconductors, displays, computers, and wireless communication devices) showed an increase for the fourth consecutive month.
In particular, semiconductor exports, the largest export item, increased by 50.9% compared to the same period last year, recording the highest performance ever at $13.42 billion.
Exports of petroleum products increased by 8.4% compared to the same period last year at $3.63 billion, while exports of petrochemical products increased by 4.8% compared to the same period last year, at $3.72 billion.

However, exports of automobiles, Korea’s 2nd-largest export item, recorded $6.2 billion, a 0.4% decrease from the same period last year due to the decrease in operating days (1.5 days).
There were also sharp decreases in exports of steel (-24.3%) and secondary batteries (-20.5%), while general machinery (-8.1%) saw a fall in exports compared to the same period last year due to the slowdown of global demand.
By country, exports to the United States increased by 14.7% from the same period last year to $11.02 billion, the highest ever for June. Exports to the USA have been breaking monthly records for 11 consecutive months since August last year.
In this regard, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) explained, “While automobile exports, the largest export item, continued to show a favorable trend, semiconductors and computers related to AI server investment also recorded high export growth rates.”
Exports to China, which increased by 1.8% from the same period last year, recorded $10.7 billion, showing a four-month consecutive increase.

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Exports

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Exports’ Contribute 86% to Korea’s Total Economic Growth

Last year, Korea’s exports played a key role in the nation’s overall economic growth, contributing significantly to production, added value, and employment induction.
According to the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), the contribution of exports to Korea’s economic growth last year was 1.17%p, and it was analyzed that exports led to 86.1% of Korea’s economic growth rate (1.36%) in 2023. The share of exports in real gross domestic product (GDP) also reached 35.7%, the highest since the 2020s.
The production inducement amount of Korea’s exports is estimated to have increased by an annual average of 7.4% since 2020, reaching US$1.2 trillion last year. The production inducement ratio calculated as the production inducement amount compared to the total export amount in 2023 reached 1.94 times, the highest since 2020.

In particular, the production inducement amount of automobile exports was US$231.3 billion, up 21.7% from 2022, and the production inducement ratio was also 2.5 times, significantly exceeding the average (1.9 times).
The value-added rate, which indicates the extent to which total exports create domestic added value, was 64.6%, up 0.4%p from 2022. The top item in value-added inducement in Korea in 2022 was semiconductors, but last year, the added value inducement amount of automobiles (US$65.9 billion) exceeded that of semiconductors (US$62.2 billion).


 
 
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Korea’s Exports Increase for Seven Months

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The nation’s exports in April recorded a double-digit increase. It has been ‘export-plus’ for seven months. This is thanks to the increase in exports of key items such as semiconductors, automobiles, etc.

In particular, semiconductor exports surged 56% compared to the same month last year. By country, exports to the United States reached an all-time high. The trade balance has also been in surplus for 11 consecutive months since June of last year.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) recently announced that exports in April amounted to US$56.26 billion (about KRW 78 trillion), a 13.8% increase compared to the same month last year. Imports increased 5.4% over the same period to $54.73 billion. The trade balance, which subtracts imports from exports, was $1.53 billion.
In April, exports of 13 of the 15 major export items increased. This is the largest number of item exports this year.
Information and communication-related items such as semiconductors, displays, computers, and wireless communication devices recorded positive scores for all items for two consecutive months. Combined exports also achieved the highest growth rate of 46.6% this year and continued to increase for six consecutive months.
Semiconductor exports, the largest export item, recorded $9.96 billion, the second highest ever in April. It increased by 56.1% compared to the same month last year, recording positive exports for six consecutive months.

 Display exports increased by 16.3% compared to the same month last year, to $1.43 billion, recording the highest performance of the year and increasing for nine consecutive months. Exports of computer SSDs (76.2%) and wireless communication devices (11.4%) also recorded the highest growth rates this year, increasing for four and two consecutive months, respectively.
Automobile exports increased by 10.3% compared to the same month last year, breaking a record-high export amount. It recorded $6.79 billion in exports, surpassing the previous biggest record of exports in November last year ($6.53 billion).
Exports of general machinery turned positive in just one month, reaching an all-time high of $4.68 billion (1.5%) as of April. Ship exports also increased by 5.6%, showing positive growth for nine consecutive months.
Biohealth exports recorded a double-digit growth rate (21.3%) for the first time this year. Exports are positive for six consecutive months. Petroleum products (19.0%) increased for two consecutive months.
Exports increased in seven of the nine major export regions. In particular, exports to the United States recorded $11.4 billion, showing a 24.3% increase compared to the same month last year, the highest export amount ever, breaking the record in December last year ($11.3 billion) in four months.
Exports to China recorded $10.5 billion, a 9.9% increase compared to the same month last year. Exports to the nation increased for two consecutive months, exceeding $10 billion, following $10.5 billion last March.
Exports to Central and South America (38.2%) showed the highest growth rate among the nine major regions, recording a positive figure for four consecutive months. Exports to ASEAN (10.5%), Japan (18.4%), India (18.0%), and the Middle East (1.0%) also increased compared to the same month last year.
Imports in April amounted to $54.73 billion, up 5.4% from the same month last year, as both energy and non-energy imports increased. It has increased for the first time in 14 months since February 2023.
Imports of energy amounted to $12.5 billion, showing a total increase of 14.6% due to increased imports of crude oil (17.8%) and gas (21.9%). Import volume increased by 12% for crude oil and 37% for gas due to the increase in refinery operation rates and increased demand for gas for power-generation and industrial purposes. Imports of non-energy recorded $42.23 billion, up 2.9%.


 
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Korea’s March Exports Rise to $56.6 bn,Giving a Trade Balance Surplus of $4.3 bn

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Korea’s exports in March recorded $56.56 bn, a 3.1% increase compared to the same month of last year. The trade balance, which subtracts imports from exports, was calculated to be a surplus of $4.28 bn.
According to the export trends for March 2024 announced by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), exports in March increased by $1.44 bn compared to the same month of last year, continuing an increase for six consecutive months. MOTIE found it encouraging that exports continued to increase in spite of poor conditions, including reduced working days.
By item, exports of seven out of 15 major export items increased. In particular, IT items (semiconductors, displays, computers, and wireless communication devices) all recorded positive figures for the first time in 24 months since March 2022.
Semiconductor exports (+35.7%), the largest export item, recorded $11.7 bn, the highest performance in 21 months since June 2022 ($12.3 bn). Display (+16.2%) and computer SSD (+24.5%) exports also increased for eight and three consecutive months, respectively. Exports of wireless communication devices (+5.5%) broke the negative trend that had lasted for three months and turned positive.

Ship exports increased by 102.1%, continuing a positive trend for eight consecutive months. The future outlook for the shipbuilding industry is bright as exports of high-value-added vessels such as container ships and LNG carriers are showing strong growth, and exports of offshore plants are also continuing. Bio-health exports also increased by 10%, continuing a positive trend for five consecutive months.
On the other hand, there was a decline in exports of automobiles (-5.0%) and general machinery (-10.0%), which are directly affected by the number of operating days.
By region, exports increased in three regions: the United States, China, and Central & South America. Export amounts to the United States amounted to $10.91 bn, ranking first among all March records. Exports to the United States continued to increase for eight consecutive months.
Exports to China amounted to $10.52 bn, an increase of 0.4% compared to the same month of last year.
The trade balance in March recorded a surplus of $4.28 bn, maintaining a surplus for 10 consecutive months. Exports in the first quarter amounted to $163.7 bn, an increase of 8.3% compared to the same period of last year. However, it did not exceed the export amount of $173.4 bn recorded in 2022.


 
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Korea’s Drone Companies Achieve KRW 14.4 billion in Exports

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The excellence of K-drone technology is currently being proven on the world stage. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT), and the Korea Institute of Aviation Safety Technology (KIAST), recently announced that exports by Korean drone companies in 2023 reached KRW14.4 billion. Major export destinations are advanced drone countries such as the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, and France.
Export items include not only aircraft, parts, and software such as drone aircraft for light shows, solar surveillance services, construction site management systems, drone stations and data platforms, and drone soccer equipment — but also drone utilization services. Drone aircraft accounted for the majority at 80%, followed by hardware such as parts (8%), software (1%), and services (11%).

The achievements and significance of Korean companies are attributable to their long years of steady efforts in developing new technologies by taking on the challenges of new industrial fields. MOLIT has been supporting excellent companies through drone technology commercialization support projects, and overseas expansion support projects. In 2023, MOLIT has held four overseas drone road shows with drone companies, and formed a K-drone delegation to help them participate in the world-class U.S. drone exhibition.
A spokesperson for MOLIT explained, “We plan to invite a wide range of overseas guests to the Korea Drone Expo so that overseas exports can further expand next year,” adding, “We will work to ensure that through overseas drone road shows, Korea’s drone products and services can be sold globally, and excellent K-drone products can be exported.”


 
 
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Exports increase by 7% in November

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Semiconductor exports also rise

Exports increased in November this year compared to last year, continuing the ‘export plus’ trend for two consecutive months. Exports of semiconductors, Korea’s main product, also turned to growth for the first time in the 16 months since August last year. With export recovery becoming increasingly evident, the trade balance also remained in surplus for six consecutive months. Exports in November amounted to US$55.8 billion, up 7.8% from the same month last year.

Korea’s monthly exports had decreased for 12 consecutive months from October of last year to last September due to the sluggish exports of semiconductors and falling exports to China. However, after exports turned to an increase in October 2023, the recovery appears to have become more evident in November 2023.
This year’s total export volume is also on a steady upward trend. Exports, which fell to $46.3 billion last January, have trended upward and reached the highest level of the year in November.
By item, exports of 12 of the 15 major export items increased, showing the largest increase this year.
Semiconductor exports, which were a key factor in Korea’s overall export slump, were also beginning to recover in November, increasing by 12.9% to $9.5 billion.
The rising export trend of automobiles (21.5%), general machinery (14.1%), home appliances (14.1%), and ships (38.5%) continued, and in November, exports of petrochemicals (5.9%) and biohealth (18.8%), and secondary batteries (23.4%) ‒ all of which had recently been sluggish ‒ also increased.
By region, there were increased exports to six of Korea’s nine major export markets. Exports to the United States recorded $10.9 billion, increasing compared to the same month last year for four consecutive months ‒ while exports to ASEAN and the European Union (EU) also increased.
Exports to China, the largest export market, decreased by 0.2%, falling slightly short of an upward trend. However, exports in November recorded $11.4 billion, continuing to exceed $10 billion for four consecutive months, showing signs of recovery since last summer.
Korea’s imports in November amounted to $52 billion, down 11.6% from the same month last year. The decline in energy import prices had a significant impact, with total energy imports decreasing by 22.2%, with gas and coal imports decreasing by 45% and 40%, respectively.

As a result, the trade balance in November showed a surplus of $3.8 billion. It has been in surplus for six consecutive months since last June. November’s trade surplus is the largest in 26 months since September 2021.
 
 
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Korea-Philippines FTA Officially Signed

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Korea-Philippines FTA Officially Signed

  • Liberalization of trade with the Philippines, one of Korea’s top three export destinations in ASEAN
  • Tariff-free export of Korean cars and eco-friendly cars
  • Completion of FTA network with major ASEAN trading partners

Korea and the Philippines recently officially signed a free trade agreement (hereinafter referred to as ‘FTA’).


For the Korea-Philippines FTA, the two nations declared an agreement in principle on the basic framework focusing on the concession level in October 2021. Thereafter, several rounds of intensive negotiations were held between the two sides on the detailed schedule for tariffelimination and reduction, agricultural product safeguard implementation procedures, and regulations on the operation of the product committee. In June 2022, a final agreement on all aspects of the Korea-Philippines FTA was reached.
With this signing, Korea has concluded 22 FTAs with 59 countries around the world. The Philippines is a contracting party to multilateral FTAs such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the ASEAN Free Trade Area, and Korea is the second bilateral FTA after the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which came into effect in 2008.


Korea has been expanding its FTA network with ASEAN’s major individual trading partners along with multilateral FTAs in which all ASEAN countries participate, such as the Korea-ASEAN FTA and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
In addition to Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia, Korea’s FTA agreement with the Philippines thus recorded a total of five FTA relationships with ASEAN countries. Korea’s trade volume with these five countries amounts to 91% of the total trade volume with ASEAN as of 2022.


 
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