South Korea's exports reached $86.13 billion in March, breaching the $80 billion mark for the first time ever. According to data from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, this represents a 48.3 percent increase from a year earlier. Record semiconductor shipments drove the surge.
Data released Wednesday by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources showed South Korea's outbound shipments totaled $86.13 billion last month, up 48.3 percent on-year. This surpassed the previous monthly record of $69.5 billion set in December 2025. Imports rose 13.2 percent to $60.4 billion, yielding a trade surplus of $25.74 billion.
Semiconductor exports spiked 151.4 percent to a record $32.83 billion, crossing $30 billion for the first time. The ministry attributed the chip sector's performance to elevated memory chip prices and sustained global demand from investments in artificial intelligence data centers.
Car exports increased 2.2 percent to $6.37 billion, with demand for eco-friendly models like electric vehicles and hybrids offsetting disruptions from the Middle Eastern crisis. Petroleum product shipments surged 54.9 percent to $5.1 billion amid rising global oil prices triggered by the Iran war, though gasoline and diesel exports fell 5 percent and 11 percent respectively after restrictions imposed on March 13.
By destination, exports to China jumped 64 percent to $16.5 billion for the fifth straight month, driven by semiconductors, petrochemicals, machinery and computers. Shipments to the United States rose 47.1 percent to $16.34 billion on chip and computer demand. ASEAN exports grew 34.3 percent to $13.75 billion and the European Union 19.3 percent to $7.47 billion, while Middle East exports plunged 49.1 percent to $900 million due to regional conflict.
