Exports Increased by 4.5% from March 1 to 20... Semiconductor and Car Exports Up (Update)

Korea Customs Service Announces Export-Import Status for March 1-20
Exports Reach $35.5 Billion, Imports $34.4 Billion
Trade Surplus Stands at $1.1 Billion

Exports this month increased by 4.5%, continuing the upward trend in exports. Semiconductors, the main export item, saw exports rise by more than 11%, while passenger cars and ships also maintained their growth momentum.

According to the export-import status from March 1 to 20 announced by the Korea Customs Service on the 21st, export value reached $35.5 billion, up 4.5% compared to the same period last year.

Export cars are waiting to be loaded at Pyeongtaek Port, Gyeonggi. 2025.2.13. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong

The number of working days was 14, 0.5 days fewer than the 14.5 days in the same period last year. Considering this, the average daily export value increased by 8.2% to $2.54 billion.

Among the top 10 major export items, six items including semiconductors (11.6%), passenger cars (3.7%), and ships (80.3%) increased. Petroleum products (-24.6%), auto parts (-5.9%), and home appliances (-23%) decreased.

By country, exports increased to the United States (2.5%), the European Union (EU, 15.2%), and Vietnam (4.0%), while exports to China (-3.8%), Hong Kong (-16.4%), and India (-2.2%) declined.

Imports until the 20th of this month amounted to $34.4 billion, down 1.4% compared to the same period last year. Imports of semiconductors (6.8%), gas (14.2%), and semiconductor equipment (64.6%) increased, while imports of crude oil (-19.0%) and machinery (-5.3%) decreased. Energy imports including crude oil, gas, and coal fell by 14.1%. By country, imports increased from the EU (5.4%), Japan (11.1%), and Taiwan (32.3%), but decreased from China (-4.0%) and the United States (-13.4%).

The trade balance recorded a surplus of $1.1 billion. Accordingly, the cumulative trade surplus from the beginning of this year to the 20th of this month reached $3.52 billion.

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