▲ Containers stacked at Pyeongtaek Port
Driven by a continued boom in the semiconductor sector, exports in the middle of this month have reached a record high for any July on record.
According to the Korea Customs Service on Tuesday (July 21), exports from July 1 to 20 (preliminary data based on customs clearance) totaled $54.9 billion, an increase of 52.3% compared to the same period last year.
This marks the largest volume ever recorded for the July 1–20 period, surpassing the previous record of $36.9 billion set in 2024.
The number of working days was 14.5, one day fewer than the 15.5 days during the same period last year.
Exports per working day rose by 62.9% year-on-year to $3.79 billion.
By product, semiconductor exports surged by 180.6% to reach $22.1 billion.
This also set a new record for the July 1–20 period.
Semiconductors accounted for 40.3% of total exports, an increase of 18.4 percentage points (p).
Exports of computer peripherals jumped by 231.9%, bolstered by growing demand for SSDs used in artificial intelligence (AI) servers.
Exports of petroleum products (33.4%), ships (70.8%), and wireless communication devices (65.9%) also saw increases.
Conversely, exports of passenger vehicles and auto parts declined by 10.6% and 9.6%, respectively.
Exports to major markets, including China (94.1%), the United States (39.6%), Vietnam (82.4%), the European Union (30.3%), and Taiwan (41.8%), all showed growth.
During the same period, imports amounted to $42.7 billion, up 20.0% from a year ago.
With exports exceeding imports, the trade balance recorded a surplus of $12.2 billion.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.