Korea's Sept. exports hit record $120.9 bil. on robust chip sales

Korea's exports soared 83.5 percent to a record $120.9 billion in September, driven by a surge in chip shipments, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said Thursday. Semiconductor exports topped $60 billion for the first time, while imports rose 26 percent to $71.09 billion. The country posted an unprecedented trade surplus of $49.85 billion. Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said year-to-date exports exceeded $800 billion and Korea remains on track for $1 trillion this year.

Semiconductor exports jumped 263 percent to $60.3 billion in September, helped by stronger shipments and higher prices amid rising demand for memory chips.

Exports of petroleum products rose 72 percent to $7.22 billion, while petrochemical exports increased 5.1 percent to $3.95 billion.

Cosmetics exports climbed 31.4 percent to $1.51 billion on rising demand in China, the United States and the European Union.

Automobile exports fell 5.5 percent to $6.05 billion because of fewer working days from the Chuseok holiday and weaker used-car exports.

Exports to China increased 123 percent to $26 billion, and shipments to the United States rose 137 percent to $24.33 billion.

Published Oct 1, 2026 9:25 am KST

Updated Oct 1, 2026 10:18 am KST

Contaners bound for exports are stacked at a port in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Sept. 6. Yonhap

Korea's exports soared 83.5 percent to a record $120.9 billion in September from a year earlier, driven by a surge in chip shipments, data showed Thursday.

Semiconductor exports exceeded $60 billion for the first time ever last month, boosting overall export figures, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said in a press release.

Imports climbed 26 percent from a year earlier to $71.09 billion, resulting in an unprecedented trade surplus of $49.85 billion.

By sector, semiconductor exports, a key pillar of Asia's fourth-largest economy, skyrocketed 263 percent during the period to $60.3 billion, helped by increased shipments and higher product prices amid rising demand for memory chips.

Exports of petroleum products jumped 72 percent to $7.22 billion, while those of petrochemical products rose 5.1 percent to $3.95 billion.

Cosmetics exports shot up 31.4 percent to $1.51 billion on rising demand in China, the United States and the European Union.

Automobile exports, however, fell 5.5 percent to $6.05 billion, hurt by fewer working days driven by the Chuseok holiday and a decline in used-car exports.

By destination, exports to China jumped 123 percent to $26 billion, driven by strong shipments of semiconductors and wireless communications equipment.

Exports to China exceeded $20 billion for the four consecutive month.

Shipments to the U.S. surged 137 percent to $24.33 billion, driven by robust demand for chips, petrochemical products and general machinery.

The monthly report also showed exports to Southeast Asian countries rose 92.6 percent to $21.29 billion, while those to the European Union increased 20.9 percent to $8.65 billion, with both gains driven by strong shipments of chips and automobiles.

"Exports in the January-September period exceeded $800 billion for the first time, already surpassing the country's record annual exports of $709.3 billion," Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said.

The minister said Korea is on track to achieve $1 trillion in annual exports this year but said the spread of global protectionism and heightened tensions in the Middle East remain major uncertainties for outbound shipments.

The government will closely monitor the impact of changes in the global trade environment on Korean companies' exports and take preemptive measures to prevent unexpected external factors from affecting shipments, he said.

韩国产业通商资源部周四表示，受芯片出货量激增的推动，韩国9月份出口额飙升83.5%，达到创纪录的1209亿美元。半导体出口额首次​​突破600亿美元大关，进口额增长26%，达到710.9亿美元。韩国实现了前所未有的498.5亿美元贸易顺差。产业通商资源部部长金正宽表示，今年迄今为止，韩国出口额已超过8000亿美元，今年有望实现1万亿美元的出口目标。

受存储芯片需求上升带动出货量增加和价格上涨的推动，9月份半导体出口额飙升263%，达到603亿美元。

石油产品出口额增长72%，达到72.2亿美元；石化产品出口额增长5.1%，达到39.5亿美元。

由于中国、美国和欧盟的需求不断增长，化妆品出口额增长了 31.4%，达到 15.1 亿美元。

由于中秋节假期导致工作日减少以及二手车出口疲软，汽车出口额下降 5.5% 至 60.5 亿美元。

对华出口增长123%，达到260亿美元；对美出口增长137%，达到243.3亿美元。

发布于2026年10月1日上午9:25（韩国标准时间）

更新于2026年10月1日上午10:18（韩国标准时间）

9月6日，在京畿道平泽市的一个港口，堆放着准备出口的集装箱。（韩联社）

周四公布的数据显示，受芯片出货量激增的推动，韩国9月份出口额同比增长83.5%，达到创纪录的1209亿美元。

贸易、工业和资源部在一份新闻稿中表示，上个月半导体出口额首次​​超过 600 亿美元，提振了整体出口数据。

进口额比上年同期增长 26%，达到 710.9 亿美元，从而实现了前所未有的 498.5 亿美元的贸易顺差。

从行业来看，半导体出口是亚洲第四大经济体的重要支柱，在此期间飙升了 263%，达到 603 亿美元，这得益于出货量增加和存储芯片需求上升导致产品价格上涨。

石油产品出口额增长72%，达到72.2亿美元；石化产品出口额增长5.1%，达到39.5亿美元。

由于中国、美国和欧盟的需求不断增长，化妆品出口额飙升 31.4%，达到 15.1 亿美元。

然而，受中秋节假期导致工作日减少以及二手车出口下降的影响，汽车出口额下降了 5.5%，至 60.5 亿美元。

按目的地划分，对中国的出口额增长了 123%，达到 260 亿美元，这主要得益于半导体和无线通信设备的强劲出货。

对华出口额连续第四个月超过200亿美元。

受芯片、石化产品和通用机械的强劲需求推动，对美国的出货量激增 137%，达到 243.3 亿美元。

月度报告还显示，对东南亚国家的出口增长了 92.6%，达到 212.9 亿美元，对欧盟的出口增长了 20.9%，达到 86.5 亿美元，这两项增长均得益于芯片和汽车的强劲出货量。

“今年1月至9月，出口额首次​​突破8000亿美元，已经超过了该国创纪录的7093亿美元的年度出口额，”产业通商资源部长官金正宽表示。

该部长表示，韩国今年有望实现1万亿美元的年度出口目标，但全球保护主义蔓延和中东紧张局势加剧仍然是出口运输面临的主要不确定因素。

他表示，政府将密切关注全球贸易环境变化对韩国企业出口的影响，并采取预防措施，防止意外的外部因素影响货物运输。