S. Korea's Daily Exports Hit Record $4.74 Billion on Semiconductor Boom

Workers load semiconductors from Samsung Electronics and SK hynix onto an aircraft at Korean Air's cargo terminal at Incheon International Airport on July 30, 2026. The semiconductor supercycle is writing a new chapter in South Korea's export history. Average daily exports from Oct. 1–20 reached approximately 6.4 trillion won, or approximately $4.74 billion, marking an all-time high. According to preliminary trade data released by the Korea Customs Service on Oct. 21, total exports from Oct. 1 to 20 amounted to $61.612 billion. This represents a 105.4% increase from the same period last year, making it the highest figure ever recorded for the Oct. 1–20 period. Average daily exports, based on 13 working days, also rose 65.9% year on year, surpassing the previous record of $4.6 billion set just last month. Semiconductors were by far the biggest contributor to export growth. Semiconductor exports surged 222.5% year on year to $27.516 billion, accounting for 44.7% of total exports — a gain of 16.2 percentage points from a year earlier, underscoring the industry's growing dominance. Other key categories also posted strong gains, with computer peripherals soaring 424.0%, petroleum products rising 68.3% and passenger vehicles increasing 40.9%. Growth was broad-based across major global markets. Exports to China, South Korea's largest export destination, jumped 154.4%, while shipments to the United States surged 154.9%, Vietnam rose 74.6% and the European Union increased 78.2%. The top three destinations — China, the United States and Vietnam — together accounted for an estimated 52.7% of total exports. Imports also rose, driven primarily by semiconductors and energy commodities. Total imports during the same period came to $47.117 billion, up 42.8% from a year earlier. By category, semiconductor imports increased 78.4%, gas imports surged 112.4% and crude oil imports rose 42.9%. Combined energy imports — covering crude oil, gas and coal — expanded 53.5% year on year. With exports far outpacing imports, the trade balance recorded a surplus of $14.496 billion. The cumulative trade surplus for the year through Oct. 20 reached $266.926 billion. However, a Korea Customs Service official cautioned that the figures were preliminary and could change depending on the number of working days and other factors.