Mid-July Exports Hit Record $54.9 Billion on Semiconductor Boom

Driven by a continued boom in the semiconductor sector, exports for the middle of this month reached an all-time high for any July.

According to the Korea Customs Service on July 21, exports (provisional figures based on customs clearance) from July 1 to 20 totaled 54.9 billion dollars, an increase of 52.3 percent 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 dollars set in 2024.

The number of working days was 14.5, one day fewer than the same period last year (15.5 days).

Average daily exports rose by 62.9 percent from a year ago to 3.79 billion dollars.

By item, semiconductor exports surged by 180.6 percent to 22.1 billion dollars.

This is also a record high for the July 1–20 period.

Semiconductors accounted for 40.3 percent of total exports, an increase of 18.4 percentage points (p).

Exports of computer peripherals jumped by 231.9 percent, fueled by growing demand for AI server SSDs.

Exports of petroleum products (33.4 percent), ships (70.8 percent), and wireless communication devices (65.9 percent) also increased.

Conversely, exports of passenger cars and auto parts fell by 10.6 percent and 9.6 percent, respectively.

Exports to major markets, including China (94.1 percent), the United States (39.6 percent), Vietnam (82.4 percent), the European Union (30.3 percent), and Taiwan (41.8 percent), all saw growth.

The top three destinations—China, the U.S., and Vietnam—accounted for 51.9 percent of total exports.

During the same period, imports totaled 42.7 billion dollars, up 20.0 percent from a year earlier.

The increase was driven primarily by semiconductors (54.9 percent), crude oil (27.5 percent), semiconductor manufacturing equipment (56.9 percent), and gas (27.9 percent).

Imports of energy resources, including crude oil, gas, and coal, rose by 27.4 percent compared to the same period last year.

Imports from major trading partners, including China (21.8 percent), the U.S. (17.1 percent), the EU (9.7 percent), Japan (14.6 percent), and Taiwan (45.7 percent), all increased.

With exports exceeding imports, the trade balance recorded a surplus of 12.2 billion dollars.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.