Exports in January this year surpassed $60 billion for the first time ever, setting a record high for any January. Strong performance in key items, including semiconductor exports topping $20 billion for the second straight month, drove the gains.
According to the "export and import trends for January 2026" released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources on the 1st, January exports totaled $65.85 billion, up 33.9% from a year earlier. Imports rose 11.7% to $57.11 billion. The trade balance posted a surplus of $8.74 billion. Adjusted for working days, average daily exports increased 14.0% to $2.8 billion, the best January performance on record.
By item, 13 of the 15 main export items increased. Semiconductor exports rose 102.7% to $20.54 billion—the second-highest monthly performance on record—as demand centered on artificial intelligence (AI) servers continued to expand and memory prices kept rising. Auto exports rose 21.7% to $6.07 billion, helped by more working days as the Lunar New Year holiday shifted from January last year to February this year, and by strong sales of eco-friendly cars.
Information technology (IT) items also increased, including wireless communication devices ($2.03 billion, +66.9%), computers ($1.55 billion, +89.2%), and displays ($1.38 billion, +26.1%).
By region, seven of the nine major export markets recorded gains. Exports to China rose 46.7% to $13.51 billion, and exports to ASEAN climbed 40.7% to $12.11 billion, both hitting the highest January levels. Exports to the United States also increased 29.5% to $12.02 billion, the best January performance on record.
Imports increased overall as imports of intermediate goods such as semiconductors and semiconductor equipment rose, even though energy imports fell due to lower energy prices.
Minister Kim Jung-kwan of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) said, "Uncertainty in the trade environment is growing amid recent U.S. tariff policy and the spread of protectionism," adding, "The government will prioritize the national interest in continued consultations with the United States and will use all available resources to support the establishment of a trade structure that does not waver despite external changes."