Exports for Aug. 1–10 totaled $21.3 billion, the highest ever for the period. Semiconductor exports led the overall performance with growth of more than 155%.
According to the Aug. 1–10 export and import trends (preliminary) released by the Korea Customs Service on the 11th, exports on the 1st–10th were tallied at $21.3 billion, up 45.3% from a year earlier.
In particular, the surge in semiconductor exports stood out. Semiconductor exports climbed 155.4% to $10.0 billion, also a record high for the same period. The share of semiconductors in total exports was 46.8%, up 20.1 percentage points (p) from a year earlier. Petroleum products (65.3%) and computer peripherals (139.5%) also increased.
By country, exports increased to China (134.8%), Vietnam (45.4%), Hong Kong (259.4%), and the European Union (57.2%). The export share of the top three—China, Vietnam, and the United States—was 52.5%.
Meanwhile, imports for Aug. 1–10 rose 23.1% to $19.5 billion. Imports increased sharply in semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing equipment. The trade balance, or exports minus imports, recorded a surplus of $1.8 billion.