S. Korea's biopharmaceutical exports on pace to hit new record in H1
Seoul, July 8
South Korea's exports of biopharmaceutical products are expected to post the highest level on record in the first quarter this year, government data showed on Wednesday.
The product category's estimated exports for the first six months of the year was $4.5 billion, up 15.3 percent, according to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, reports Yonhap news agency.
They accounted for 86.5 percent of all pharmaceutical exports of $5.2 billion in the first half.
Biopharmaceutical exports have risen from $4.9 billion in 2023 to $7.6 billion in 2025. Should the trend continue, the ministry expects this year to post the highest amount of exports on record.
South Korea-produced biopharmaceuticals were exported to a total of 163 countries as of June, with exports to Switzerland the highest at $770 million.
The United States followed next with $610 million, and Hungary with $600 million. France was included among the top 10 export countries for the first time as of the first half, with outbound shipments recording $160 million.
By product type, exports of recombinant protein drugs were the highest at $3.97 billion, followed by toxins and antitoxins at $280 million, and vaccines at $120 million.
The ministry said it will make efforts so that the bio industry can carry on its export momentum in the second half of the year through regulatory innovation, information sharing and active trade talks with major importers.
Meanwhile, Seoul shares erased some of their earlier losses late Wednesday morning on institutional buying, as investors continued to reassess the next phase of the artificial intelligence (AI) trade.
After opening 2.7 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) pared earlier losses, trading down 151.89 points, or 1.98 percent, at 7,504.42 as of 11:20 a.m.
Local stocks declined in line with overnight losses on Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.25 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined 1.16 percent.
Institutions bought a net 1.02 trillion won (US$674 million) worth of stocks, while foreigners and individuals sold a net 467.27 billion won and 561.48 billion won, respectively.
— IANS
Reader Comments
While South Korea is doing well, our Indian companies like Biocon, Serum Institute have also done great work. But the scale is different — $4.5 billion in half a year! We need stronger IP protection and faster approvals to compete globally.
Interesting that top export is to Switzerland — apparently they host many pharma HQs. But France entering top 10 for first time shows Europe is a growing market. Korea's KOSPI down 2% though, so AI trade fears are hitting everyone. Market sentiment is shaky globally.
India's pharma exports are around $25 billion annually, but we rely more on generics. Korea is surging in biologics because they invested early. Our government should give similar incentives for bio-manufacturing parks. But let's also appreciate that Indian vaccines reached 100+ countries! 😊
The stock market part is concerning. KOSPI dropped 2% because of AI selloff — shows how interconnected global markets are. India's Nifty also feels the heat. But biopharma is a defensive sector, so exports will keep growing. Personally, I'm bullish on biosimilars for Indian companies.
Impressive growth. But I hope they're also investing in affordable medicines for LMICs. Big pharma often prices biologics out of reach for many Indians. As a healthcare professional, I wish India could replicate this model while keeping equity in mind. 🤔
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