Why did Korea's exports rise 56 percent in the first 20 days of August?

The main driver was semiconductor shipments, which nearly tripled to $26 billion and reached their highest level for the period. Chips made up 47.2 percent of total exports, up 22.5 percentage points from a year earlier.

How much were Korea's exports and imports in the first 20 days of August?

Outbound shipments reached $55.2 billion in the Aug. 1-20 period, the highest level for any August 20-day period. Imports came to $41.2 billion, leaving a trade surplus of $14 billion.

Which export markets and industries changed the most in Korea's early-August trade data?

Petroleum products rose 56.4 percent to $4.23 billion and steel increased 9.7 percent to $2.39 billion, while automobile exports fell 45.1 percent to $1.52 billion. By destination, exports to China more than doubled to $15.26 billion and shipments to the United States rose 59.4 percent to $7.97 billion.

Exports up 56 % in first 20 days of Aug. on robust chip shipments

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Summary

Korea's exports surged 56 percent in the first 20 days of August, with semiconductor shipments hitting a fresh high. Outbound shipments reached $55.2 billion and imports rose 19 percent to $41.2 billion, producing a trade surplus of $14 billion. Chips nearly tripled to $26 billion and accounted for 47.2 percent of total exports. Exports to China and the United States also jumped sharply.

Key Facts

The daily average exports for Aug. 1-20 rose 61.5 percent on-year to $3.94 billion.
Imports increased 19 percent on-year to $41.2 billion over the same period.
Exports to China more than doubled to $15.26 billion, while shipments to the United States gained 59.4 percent to $7.97 billion.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 21, 2026 9:23 am KST
Updated Aug 21, 2026 9:30 am KST

Containers are stacked at a port in Busan, Thursday. Yonhap

Korea's exports surged 56 percent from a year earlier over the first 20 days of August, customs data showed Friday, with shipments of semiconductors reaching a fresh high.

Outbound shipments reached $55.2 billion in the Aug. 1-20 period, according to data from the Korea Customs Service. It was the highest level for the 20-day period for any August.

Imports went up 19 percent on-year to $41.2 billion over the cited period, resulting in a trade surplus of $14 billion.

The customs agency noted the daily average exports for the period shot up 61.5 percent from a year earlier to $3.94 billion.

By sector, exports of chips nearly tripled to $26 billion, marking the highest amount for the period.

Chips accounted for 47.2 percent of total exports, up 22.5 percentage points from a year earlier.

Outbound shipments of petroleum products gained 56.4 percent to $4.23 billion, and those of steel rose 9.7 percent to $2.39 billion.

Exports of automobiles, on the other hand, slipped 45.1 percent to $1.52 billion.

By destination, exports to China more than doubled to $15.26 billion, and those to the United States gained 59.4 percent to $7.97 billion.

Accumulated exports through Thursday this year came to $650.2 billion, rising 51 percent from a year earlier.

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