Strong Semiconductor and Display Exports Driven by Smartphones Continue in February

Export Increase for 9 Consecutive Months Compared to the Previous Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] In February, information and communication technology (ICT) exports continued to perform well overall, driven by demand for premium smartphones.

On the 15th, according to the Ministry of Science and ICT, February ICT exports amounted to $15.28 billion, imports were $9.19 billion, and the trade balance recorded a provisional surplus of $6.09 billion.

Exports reached the highest level ever recorded for February. Compared to the same month last year, exports increased by 11.5%, continuing a growth trend for nine consecutive months since June last year.

By country, exports to the European Union (EU) rose the most, increasing by 14.0% year-on-year, followed by exports to China including Hong Kong, which increased by 13.6%, and the United States by 6.7%. On the other hand, exports to Vietnam decreased by 0.8%, and Japan also declined by 4.3%.

By export item, semiconductors showed the largest increase, rising by $8.44 billion (12.5%) compared to the same month last year. Due to sustained semiconductor demand, exports in the memory and system semiconductor sectors increased by 12.6% and 13.2%, respectively. This growth trend has continued for eight consecutive months.

Displays ($1.62 billion, 22.3%) and mobile phones ($1.03 billion, 15.0%) also increased, supported by demand for premium smartphones. Organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) grew by 32.9%, and LCDs (liquid crystal displays) increased by 4.6%. Mobile phones saw increases of 5.2% in finished products and 23.3% in parts.

However, computers and peripherals decreased by 5.6%, down by $1.07 billion. While computers increased by 16.6%, peripherals such as SSDs declined by 8.5%.

Imports increased by 19.3% compared to the same month last year but decreased compared to the previous month's $10.76 billion. Semiconductors (4.6%), mobile phones (18.8%), and computers and peripherals (59.3%) increased, but displays (10.8%) decreased.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.