FX.co ★ South Korea Exports Jump 36.7% in First 10 Days of April

South Korea’s exports jumped 36.7% year-on-year to USD 25.2 billion in the first 10 days of April, according to data released Monday by the Korea Customs Service. This was the highest export value ever recorded for the first 10 days of any month, driven largely by a sharp rise in semiconductor shipments.

Semiconductor exports soared 152.5% to USD 8.573 billion, representing 34.0% of total exports, up from 31.5% in the previous month. This marked the third straight month in which semiconductors accounted for more than 30% of overall outbound shipments. Over the same period, exports of petroleum products climbed 38.6%, while ship exports advanced 26.6%.

By contrast, exports of passenger cars and auto parts declined, falling 6.7% and 7.3%, respectively.

By destination, exports to China—South Korea’s largest trading partner—surged 63.8%. Shipments also increased markedly to the United States (24.0%), Vietnam (66.6%), and Taiwan (68.3%).

Meanwhile, imports rose 12.7% from a year earlier to USD 22.1 billion during the period, resulting in a trade surplus of USD 3.1 billion.