South Korea's trade surplus surged to a record USD 15.51 billion in February 2026 from USD 4.15 billion in the same month a year earlier, beating market expectations of a USD 10 billion surplus and marking a 13th consecutive month in the black, flash data showed. Exports rose 29% yoy to a new peak of USD 67.45 billion for the month, exceeding forecasts of 24% but easing from January’s 33.8% surge due to fewer working days amid the Lunar New Year holiday. The latest reading also signaled a ninth straight month of export growth, underpinned by strong global demand, particularly for semiconductors. Meanwhile, imports increased at a softer 7.5%, missing expectations of 13% and slowing from an 11.6% gain in January, though still posting a fourth consecutive month of expansion, supported by resilient domestic demand ahead of the holiday. However, analysts warn March’s trade outlook could be clouded by heightened geopolitical risk after coordinated U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran source: Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE)

South Korea recorded a trade surplus of 15510 USD Million in February of 2026. Balance of Trade in South Korea averaged 1220.29 USD Million from 1966 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 15510.00 USD Million in February of 2026 and a record low of -12674.91 USD Million in January of 2023. This page provides the latest reported value for - South Korea Balance of Trade - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. South Korea Balance of Trade - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on March of 2026.

South Korea recorded a trade surplus of 15510 USD Million in February of 2026. Balance of Trade in South Korea is expected to be 1500.00 USD Million by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the South Korea Balance of Trade is projected to trend around 5000.00 USD Million in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-02-01 12:00 AM
Balance of Trade
Jan $8.74B $12.17B $4.6B $4.8B
2026-03-01 12:00 AM
Balance of Trade
Feb $15.5B $8.74B $10B $11.0B
2026-04-01 12:00 AM
Balance of Trade
Mar $15.5B $ 1.5B


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Balance of Trade 15510.00 8740.00 USD Million Feb 2026
Exports 67450.00 65850.00 USD Million Feb 2026
Exports YoY 29.00 33.80 percent Feb 2026
Imports 51940.00 57100.00 USD Million Feb 2026
Imports YoY 7.50 11.60 percent Feb 2026


South Korea Balance of Trade
South Korea is heavily dependent on international trade with the biggest trading partners including China, the US and Japan. The country has been recording consistent trade surpluses since 2008 with the exception of 2022 when the war in Ukraine increased substantially the bill for imports of oil and food.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
15510.00 8740.00 15510.00 -12674.91 1966 - 2026 USD Million Monthly

News Stream
South Korea Trade Surplus Hits Record High
South Korea's trade surplus surged to a record USD 15.51 billion in February 2026 from USD 4.15 billion in the same month a year earlier, beating market expectations of a USD 10 billion surplus and marking a 13th consecutive month in the black, flash data showed. Exports rose 29% yoy to a new peak of USD 67.45 billion for the month, exceeding forecasts of 24% but easing from January’s 33.8% surge due to fewer working days amid the Lunar New Year holiday. The latest reading also signaled a ninth straight month of export growth, underpinned by strong global demand, particularly for semiconductors. Meanwhile, imports increased at a softer 7.5%, missing expectations of 13% and slowing from an 11.6% gain in January, though still posting a fourth consecutive month of expansion, supported by resilient domestic demand ahead of the holiday. However, analysts warn March’s trade outlook could be clouded by heightened geopolitical risk after coordinated U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran.
2026-03-01
South Korea Trade Balance Swings to Surplus
South Korea posted a trade surplus of USD 8.74 billion in January 2026, shifting from a USD 1.89 billion deficit a year earlier and surpassing expectations of a USD 4.6 billion surplus, according to preliminary data, as exports surged. Outbound shipments jumped 33.9% year-on-year to USD 65.85 billion, the strongest growth since August 2021, accelerating sharply from a downwardly revised 13.3% increase in December and exceeding forecasts of a 29.9% rise. The growth was mainly driven by robust demand for semiconductors, the country’s top export item, which soared 102.7% year-on-year on strong AI-related demand. The increase was also supported by a higher number of working days compared with January last year. It also marked the highest January figure on record and the first time January exports exceeded USD 60 billion. Meanwhile, imports rose 11.7% to USD 57.10 billion, following a 4.6% gain in December but coming in below expectations of 14.6% growth.
2026-02-01
South Korea December Trade Surplus Largest Since 2017
South Korea’s trade surplus widened to USD 12.18 billion in December 2025, up from USD 6.49 billion a year earlier and surpassing expectations of USD 10 billion, according to preliminary data. It was the largest monthly trade surplus since April 2017, as exports rose much more than imports. Outbound shipments surged 13.4% from a year earlier to a record USD 69.58 billion, the strongest growth since July 2024, accelerating from an 8.4% rise in November and exceeding forecasts of an 8.3% increase. The gains were mainly driven by a 43.2% surge in semiconductor exports, amid easing concerns over global trade uncertainty. Meanwhile, imports climbed 4.6% to an all-time high of USD 57.40 billion, following a downwardly revised 1.1% rise in November and topping market expectations of a 2.4% gain. For the full year of 2025, the country posted a trade surplus of USD 78 billion, with exports rising 3.8% to a record USD 709.7 billion, while imports edged down 0.02% to USD 631.7 billion.
2026-01-01