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%.