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South Korea's Exports Surge 48% in April, Top $80 Billion Again

South Korea's exports topped $80 billion for the second straight month in April, surging 48% to $85.89 billion. Chip exports soared 173.5% to a record $31.9 billion, driven by AI semiconductor demand and rising memory chip prices. Computer exports also hit a record high, jumping 515.8% to $4.08 billion. However, auto exports fell 5.5% due to Middle East shipping disruptions and US tariff policies.

Key Points: S. Korea Exports Top $80 Billion for 2nd Month in April

  • Exports up 48% to $85.89 billion in April
  • Chip exports hit record $31.9 billion, up 173.5%
  • Computer exports surge 515.8% to $4.08 billion
  • Auto exports drop 5.5% due to Mideast crisis and US tariffs
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S. Korea's exports top $80 billion for 2nd month in April

South Korea's exports exceeded $80 billion for the second consecutive month in April, driven by a semiconductor supercycle and AI demand.

"The ministry largely attributed the sharp increase in exports to a semiconductor supercycle. - Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources"

Seoul, May 1

South Korea's exports exceeded $80 billion for the second consecutive month in April, jumping nearly 50 per cent from a year earlier on the back of robust shipments of semiconductors, government data showed on Friday.

Outbound shipments totalled $85.89 billion last month, up 48 percent on-year, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, reports Yonhap news agency.

The April tally marks the second-highest monthly export figure for the country, following an all-time high of $86.6 billion recorded in March.

Imports rose 16.7 percent on-year to $62.11 billion last month, resulting in a trade surplus of $23.77 billion.

April also marked the second consecutive month the country enjoyed a monthly trade surplus of over $20 billion.

The ministry largely attributed the sharp increase in exports to a semiconductor supercycle.

Chip exports amounted to $31.9 billion, spiking 173.5 percent from a year earlier and reaching the highest-ever figure for any April, on persisting demand for artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors and the continued rise of memory chip prices.

Exports of petroleum products soared 39.9 percent on-year to $5.11 billion, despite a decrease in the volume of shipments, as oil prices surged due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the ministry said.

In detail, the volume of outbound shipments of gasoline, diesel and kerosene products declined by 43 percent, 23.2 percent and 99.9 percent, respectively, as the Seoul government implemented export restrictions on such items in mid-March in a bid to stabilize the domestic fuel market.

Computer exports surged 515.8 percent to $4.08 billion, the highest monthly figure ever, as global demand for solid state drives expanded in line with the growth of the AI sector.

Shipments of electrical equipment, cosmetics and agro-fisheries products expanded 7.6 percent, 33.4 percent and 8.8 percent on-year, respectively, to $1.57 billion, $1.37 billion, $1.22 billion, all climbing to record figures for any April.

Auto exports dropped 5.5 percent to $6.17 billion in April, due partly to shipping disruptions caused by the Mideast crisis and Korean carmakers' expansion of production in the United States in response to Washington's tariff policies, according to the ministry.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Priya S
India's trade surplus is often negative, but Korea is showing how to do it right. Their focus on high-value exports like chips and computers is impressive. India should aim for similar tech-driven exports instead of relying too much on services.
A
Aman W
Interesting that auto exports dropped due to the Mideast crisis and tariff policies. India's auto sector could take advantage of this if we can fill the gap. But we need better logistics and less red tape first.
K
Kavya N
Wow, 173% jump in chip exports! That's massive. India should push harder for the semiconductor mission. We have the talent but need more investment and policy support.
S
Sneha F
South Korea is really benefiting from the AI boom. I hope India's IT sector also pivots more towards hardware and chip design rather than just IT services. This is a wake-up call.
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James A
As a global citizen, I'm impressed by Korea's export growth. But it's worth noting that Korea's export restrictions on fuel items show that even successful economies face domestic challenges. India can learn from both the successes and the trade-offs.
S
Sanjay N
Cosmetics exports up 33% - Korea's K-beauty boom continues. India's beauty and wellness sector also has potential but needs better branding and quality

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