Semiconductors Drive Export Surge Despite Middle East Conflict... Up 49.4% Through the 20th This Month (Update)
by Ju Sangdon
Published 21 Apr.2026 09:20(KST)
Korea Customs Service Releases April 1?20 Export and Import Data
Semiconductor Exports Surge 182.5% to Record April High
Despite Middle East-related risks, exports hit a new all-time high for the period from the beginning of this month through the 20th, driven by strong semiconductor performance.
According to the "Export and Import Trends for April 1-20" released by the Korea Customs Service on the 21st, export value reached 50.4 billion dollars, up 49.4% from the same period last year. Following the record set during April 1-10, the April 1-20 period also saw the highest export figures for any April on record.
Semiconductors led this export growth. Semiconductor exports surged by 182.5% compared to the same period last year, also marking the highest April figure on record. As a result, the proportion of semiconductors in total exports rose by 17.1 percentage points to 36.3%. In addition, exports of petroleum products (up 48.4%), steel products (up 8.6%), computer peripherals (up 399.0%), and ships (up 76.6%) also increased. In contrast, exports of passenger cars (down 14.1%), auto parts (down 8.8%), and home appliances (down 16.4%) declined.
Exports to all of the top 10 major export destinations increased. Shipments to China (up 70.9%), the United States (up 51.7%), Vietnam (up 79.2%), the European Union (EU, up 10.5%), and Taiwan (up 77.1%) all grew.
Imports for the period from April 1 to 20 totaled 39.9 billion dollars, up 17.7% year-on-year. Imports of semiconductors (up 58.3%), crude oil (up 13.1%), and semiconductor manufacturing equipment (up 63.3%) increased, while machinery (down 0.6%) and other items decreased. By country, imports from China (up 29.3%), the United States (up 31.5%), the EU (up 25.5%), and Taiwan (up 47.6%) rose, while imports from Japan (down 1.6%) and Saudi Arabia (down 29.1%) fell.
The trade balance for the first 20 days of this month recorded a surplus of 10.442 billion dollars. As a result, the cumulative trade surplus for this year has reached 60.869 billion dollars.
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