Exports from South Korea grew 1.3% year-on-year to USD 58.4 billion in August 2025, easing from a downwardly revised 5.8% rise in the previous month and falling short of market forecasts for a 3% increase, according to preliminary data. The weaker growth was partly due to the impact of new US tariffs, with shipments to the US falling 12% year-on-year. This marked the third consecutive month of export growth, though it was the softest pace in the sequence, mainly supported by strong semiconductor shipments. Semiconductor exports — the country’s main export item — surged 27.1% yoy to a record high of USD 15.1 billion. Exports of cars rose 8.6%, while ship exports climbed 11.8%. Among major trading partners, exports increased to Taiwan (up 39.3%), the ASEAN region (11.9%), and the Middle East (1%). By contrast, exports to China — South Korea’s largest trading partner — declined by 2.9%. At the end of July, the US announced a deal to impose a 15% tariff on South Korean goods. source: Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE)

Exports YoY in South Korea decreased to 1.30 percent in August from 5.80 percent in July of 2025. Exports YoY in South Korea averaged 15.75 percent from 1967 until 2025, reaching an all time high of 148.58 percent in October of 1973 and a record low of -35.77 percent in January of 2009. This page includes a chart with historical data for South Korea Exports YoY. South Korea Exports YoY - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on September of 2025.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2025-08-01 12:00 AM
Exports YoY
Jul 5.9% 4.3% 4.6% 4.6%
2025-09-01 12:00 AM
Exports YoY
Aug 1.3% 5.8% 3% 3.3%
2025-10-01 12:00 AM
Exports YoY
Sep 1.3%

South Korea Exports YoY
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
1.30 5.80 148.58 -35.77 1967 - 2025 percent Monthly

News Stream
South Korea Export Growth Below Forecasts
Exports from South Korea grew 1.3% year-on-year to USD 58.4 billion in August 2025, easing from a downwardly revised 5.8% rise in the previous month and falling short of market forecasts for a 3% increase, according to preliminary data. The weaker growth was partly due to the impact of new US tariffs, with shipments to the US falling 12% year-on-year. This marked the third consecutive month of export growth, though it was the softest pace in the sequence, mainly supported by strong semiconductor shipments. Semiconductor exports — the country’s main export item — surged 27.1% yoy to a record high of USD 15.1 billion. Exports of cars rose 8.6%, while ship exports climbed 11.8%. Among major trading partners, exports increased to Taiwan (up 39.3%), the ASEAN region (11.9%), and the Middle East (1%). By contrast, exports to China — South Korea’s largest trading partner — declined by 2.9%. At the end of July, the US announced a deal to impose a 15% tariff on South Korean goods.
2025-09-01
South Korea's Export Growth Hits 7-Month High
Exports from South Korea increased 5.9% yoy to a seven-month high of USD 60.82 billion in July 2025, accelerating from a 4.3% rise in the previous month and surpassing market forecasts of a 4.6% increase. This marked the second consecutive month of export growth and the fastest pace since last December, mainly driven by robust semiconductor shipments, according to preliminary data. Semiconductor exports — the country’s main export item — surged 31.6% yoy to a record high of USD 14.71 billion. Exports of cars rose 8.8%, while ship shipments jumped 107.6%. Among major trading partners, exports to the US grew 1.4%, as factories rushed to ship goods ahead of upcoming tariffs announced by President Trump. On Wednesday, Trump stated that the US would impose a 15% tariff on imports from South Korea. Exports to China, South Korea's largest trading partner, fell by 3.0%, following a 2.7% decline in June. Meanwhile, exports to ASEAN countries rose 10.1%, and exports to the EU grew by 8.7%.
2025-08-01
South Korea Exports Rise the Most in 6 Months
Exports from South Korea grew 4.3% year-over-year to a six-month high of USD 59.8 billion in June 2025, rebounding from a 1.3% decline in the previous month, though falling short of market forecasts for a 4.7% rise. This marked the strongest export growth since last December, mainly driven by robust semiconductor shipments, according to preliminary data. Semiconductor exports—the country’s main export item—jumped 11.4% year-on-year to a record high of USD 14.97 billion. Exports of computers surged 15.3%, while automobile exports rose 2.3%. By contrast, exports of steel products shrank 8.0% due to US tariffs. Among major trading partners, exports increased to ASEAN countries (2.1%) and the EU (14.7%), mainly supported by strong demand for automobiles and petroleum products. However, exports to the US fell 0.5%, impacted by tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. Exports to China, South Korea's largest trading partner, also declined by 2.7%, following an 8.4% plunge in May.
2025-07-01


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