Exports in mid-July increased by more than 50% compared to the previous year, reaching the highest level ever recorded for July. The growth was largely driven by strong semiconductor exports, along with increases in petroleum products and computer peripherals. Due to the impact of the Middle East conflict, imports of crude oil, gas, and coal rose by over 20%.
According to the Customs Office, the export figures for July 1-20, released on July 21, 2026, show a preliminary total of $54.933 billion, marking a 52.3% increase from the same period last year. This figure represents the highest amount recorded for the period and brings the cumulative annual export total to $551.281 billion, a 48.7% increase.
Considering the number of working days, the average daily export amount was $3.79 billion. Although the number of working days decreased by one to 14.5 days compared to the previous year, the daily exports surged by 62.9% year-on-year.
Monthly exports have shown a positive trend since June of last year. Notably, last month, exports surpassed $100 billion for the first time in history.
As of mid-July, exports were led by semiconductors and computer peripherals. Semiconductor exports reached $22.113 billion, a remarkable 180.6% increase from a year earlier. The share of semiconductor exports in total exports rose to 40.3%, an increase of 18.4 percentage points from the previous year.
Increased prices due to high oil prices also contributed to a 33.4% rise in petroleum product exports. Other sectors showing growth included steel products (11.1%), ships (70.8%), computer peripherals (231.9%), and wireless communication devices (65.9%).
Conversely, passenger car exports fell by 10.6% to $3.241 billion, and exports of automotive parts decreased by 9.6%.
By country, exports to the top ten nations, including China (94.1%), the United States (39.6%), Vietnam (82.4%), the European Union (30.3%), and Taiwan (41.8%), all showed increases. The combined export share of the top three countries—China, the United States, and Vietnam—accounted for 51.9%.
Imports also rose, increasing by 20.0% to $42.715 billion. The cumulative annual import total, including figures from last month, reached $401.374 billion, a 17.1% increase. Notably, semiconductor imports surged by 54.9% to $6.530 billion, while imports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment rose by 56.9% to $2.151 billion.
The rise in international oil prices due to the Middle East conflict also led to increased imports of crude oil, gas, and coal. Crude oil imports amounted to $6.007 billion, gas imports reached $2.022 billion, and coal imports totaled $970 million, reflecting increases of 27.5%, 27.9%, and 25.7%, respectively. However, imports of petroleum products (-8.9%) and passenger cars (-28.1%) declined.
By country, imports from the top ten nations, including China (21.8%), the United States (17.1%), the EU (9.7%), Japan (14.6%), and Taiwan (45.7%), all showed increases.
With exports exceeding imports, the trade balance recorded a surplus of $12.219 billion, bringing the cumulative annual trade surplus to $149.980 billion.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.