Exports are sizzling hot for eighth month

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Exports are sizzling hot for eighth month

Export cargon piled up at a port in Busan on Monday. Export have increaed 24 percent year-on-year in October. [YONHAP]

Export cargon piled up at a port in Busan on Monday. Export have increaed 24 percent year-on-year in October. [YONHAP]

 
Exports hit $55.5 billion in October, the second largest monthly amount since data started being compiled in 1956 and 24 percent higher than a year earlier.  
 
The monthly record was hit the month before. September's exports were $55.8 billion, 17 percent higher than a year earlier.  
 
According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Monday, Korea’s exports have increased year-on-year for 12 consecutive months, with double-digit growth since March. 
 
Exports have exceeded $50 billion every month since March.  
 
“[Exports] have been leading Korea’s economic recovery,” said Moon Dong-min, deputy minister for trade and investment. 
 
If the current momentum continues, Korea’s annual exports will likely break the annual record of $604.9 billion set in 2018.  
 
Between January and October, exports totaled $523.2 billion.  
 
Imports were up 37.8 percent in October to $53.9 billion.  
 
As a result, October's trade surplus was $1.69 billion. Korea has been enjoying trade surpluses for 18 consecutive months.  
 
By products, exports of petroleum and petrochemical products saw significant increases thanks to high international crude prices.  
 
Exports of petroleum products reached nearly $4 billion, a 138.1 percent year-on-year increase. Exports of petrochemical products reached almost $5 billion, up 68.5 percent.  
 
Dubai crude, which is Korea's main imported crude oil, sold for $81.6 per barrel in October, nearly double the price a year ago.  
 
Semiconductors, Korea’s biggest export item, grew 28.8 percent to $11.2 billion.  
 
Computer chip exports have been enjoying year-on-year increases for 16 consecutive months. For the last six months, monthly exports have exceeded $10 billion.
 
Automobiles were among the few products that saw a decline compared to a year ago falling 4.7 percent to $3.8 billion.  
 
The automobile industry has been struggling due to a shortage of semiconductors for vehicles.  
 
By region, exports to China, Korea’s biggest market, grew 25 percent year-on-year to $14.4 billion. Export to the U.S. were up 22.9 percent to $8 billion. Exports to the EU increased 20 percent to $5 billion.  
 
This is the first time in which Korean goods exported to nine major regions including China, the U.S. and EU have increased year-on-year for seven consecutive months.  
 
Exports to the U.S. and EU have grown for 14 consecutive months while exports to China and South America have grown for 12 consecutive months.  
 
Exports to Asean countries and India as well as Central Asia have increased for eight consecutive months while exports to Japan and the Middle East grew for seven consecutive months.  
 
“There are still risk factors existing including sharp increases in raw material prices, the spread of the [Covid-19] variants and problems in supply of parts,” deputy trade minister Moon said. “The government will employ all possible policy measures including lowering of gas taxes and increasing the management of parts supply chains to help the current export momentum to continue.”  
 

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]
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