Korea's monthly exports hit $115.3 bil. in Oct. on record chip sales

South Korea’s exports rose 93.7 percent to a record $115.3 billion in October, driven largely by semiconductor shipments, data showed Sunday. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources attributed the increase to strong global semiconductor demand and continued technology-company investment in AI infrastructure. Imports increased 36 percent to $72.78 billion, leaving a trade surplus of $42.5 billion. Exports to China and the United States also surged.

Semiconductor exports climbed 259 percent year on year to $56.4 billion.

Petroleum product exports rose 80 percent to $6.92 billion, while petrochemical exports increased 27.5 percent to $4 billion.

Cosmetics exports grew 57.5 percent to $1.44 billion amid rising demand in China, the United States and the European Union.

Automobile exports gained 18.1 percent to $6.55 billion, driven by increased overseas demand for gasoline hybrid models.

Exports to China rose 133.6 percent to $26.98 billion, topping $20 billion for the fifth consecutive month; shipments to the United States increased 185.8 percent to $24.9 billion.

Published Nov 1, 2026 9:22 am KST

Updated Nov 1, 2026 9:43 am KST

Containers bound for export are stacked at a port in Busan, Oct. 1. Yonhap

South Korea's exports jumped 93.7 percent to a record $115.3 billion in October from a year earlier, driven largely by a sharp increase in semiconductor shipments, data showed Sunday.

Strong global demand for semiconductors, coupled with continued investments by major technology companies in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, boosted overall exports, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said in a press release.

Imports rose 36 percent from a year earlier to $72.78 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $42.5 billion.

By sector, semiconductor exports, a key pillar of Asia's fourth-largest economy, skyrocketed 259 percent from a year earlier to $56.4 billion, the release said.

Exports of petroleum products jumped 80 percent to $6.92 billion, while those of petrochemical products rose 27.5 percent to $4 billion.

Cosmetics exports shot up 57.5 percent to $1.44 billion on rising demand in China, the United States and the European Union.

By destination, exports to China soared 133.6 percent to $26.98 billion, driven by strong shipments of semiconductors and wireless communications equipment.

Exports to China topped $20 billion for the fifth consecutive month.

Shipments to the United States surged 185.8 percent to $24.9 billion, supported by robust demand for semiconductors, computers and electrical equipment used in AI infrastructure.

韩国10月份出口额飙升93.7%，达到创纪录的1153亿美元，主要得益于半导体出货量的激增。韩国产业通商资源部周日公布的数据显示，出口增长主要归功于全球对半导体的强劲需求以及科技公司对人工智能基础设施的持续投资。进口额增长36%，达到727.8亿美元，贸易顺差为425亿美元。对中国和美国的出口也大幅增长。

半导体出口额同比增长 259%，达到 564 亿美元。

石油产品出口增长 80%，达到 69.2 亿美元；石化产品出口增长 27.5%，达到 40 亿美元。

受中国、美国和欧盟需求增长的推动，化妆品出口额增长了57.5%，达到14.4亿美元。

受海外对汽油混合动力车型需求增加的推动，汽车出口增长18.1%，达到65.5亿美元。

对华出口增长133.6%，达到269.8亿美元，连续第五个月超过200亿美元；对美出口增长185.8%，达到249亿美元。

发布于2026年11月1日上午9:22（韩国标准时间）

更新于2026年11月1日上午9:43（韩国标准时间）

10月1日，出口集装箱堆放在釜山港口。（韩联社）

数据显示，韩国10月份出口额同比增长93.7%，达到创纪录的1153亿美元，这主要得益于半导体出货量的大幅增长。

贸易、工业和资源部在一份新闻稿中表示，全球对半导体的强劲需求，加上主要科技公司对人工智能（AI）基础设施的持续投资，提振了整体出口。

进口额比上年同期增长 36%，达到 727.8 亿美元，贸易顺差为 425 亿美元。

新闻稿称，按行业划分，半导体出口（亚洲第四大经济体的关键支柱）较上年同期飙升 259%，达到 564 亿美元。

石油产品出口额增长 80%，达到 69.2 亿美元；石化产品出口额增长 27.5%，达到 40 亿美元。

由于中国、美国和欧盟的需求不断增长，化妆品出口额飙升 57.5%，达到 14.4 亿美元。

按目的地划分，对中国的出口额飙升 133.6%，达到 269.8 亿美元，这主要得益于半导体和无线通信设备的强劲出货。

对华出口额连续第五个月超过200亿美元。

受人工智能基础设施中使用的半导体、计算机和电气设备的强劲需求支撑，对美国的出货量激增 185.8%，达到 249 亿美元。