Business · Trade · 2 hrs ago
South Korea’s September exports hit a record $121.1 billion
South Korea exported a record $121.1 billion of goods in September, up 83.7% from the same month a year earlier.
Strong semiconductor exports helped drive the increase, taking monthly exports above $120 billion for the first time.
The figures are from South Korea’s finalized customs data for September.
Cumulative exports this year have already passed last year’s full-year record, though no total is given here.
Imports rose 26% to $71.1 billion, leaving a trade surplus of $50 billion.
The figures show how strongly exports grew, but they do not say what will happen in the coming months.
South Korea’s exports reached a monthly record of $121.1 billion in September 2026.
Exports rose 83.7% from a year earlier, driven by strong semiconductor shipments.
The total was the first time monthly exports exceeded $120 billion.
Imports increased 26.0% to $71.1 billion.
The trade surplus was $50 billion, and cumulative exports had surpassed the previous year’s full-year record.
- Who
- South Korea.
- What
- Exports reached a monthly record of $121.1 billion.
- When
- September 2026; the figures were announced on October 15.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- Strong semiconductor exports lifted the total.
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- September 2026 exports
- $121.1 billion
- Year-on-year export growth
- 83.7%
- September 2026 imports
- $71.1 billion
- Trade surplus
- $50 billion
- Exports milestone
- First monthly total above $120 billion