Early October exports hit $26.1 billion, up 102% ... a record for the same period in October

[Financial News] Exports in early October surged at least 100% year on year to a record $26.1 billion for October. Semiconductor exports drove overall exports, rising 170.9% to $12.2 billion.
 According to preliminary trade figures for Oct. 1–10 released by the Korea Customs Service on the 12th, exports during the period reached $26.1 billion, up 102.0% from the same period last year. This was a record for the period in October. Average daily exports, adjusted for the number of working days, also rose 28.5% year on year to $4.75 billion. There were 5.5 working days during the period, two more than a year earlier. 
 Among major export items, semiconductor exports rose 170.9% year on year to $12.2 billion, a record for October. Semiconductors accounted for 46.7% of exports, up 11.9 percentage points. Exports of petroleum products (45.6%), passenger cars (82.7%) and wireless communication devices (62.6%) also increased.
 By destination, exports rose to China (167.3%), the United States (159.9%), Vietnam (89.7%), Taiwan (2.6%) and the European Union (127.3%), among others. The top three destinations—China, the United States and Vietnam—accounted for 52.3% of exports.
 Imports during the period rose 65.5% to $22.3 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $3.8 billion. The surplus trend, which had lasted 20 consecutive months as of last September, continues.
 Among major import items, imports of crude oil (56.2%), semiconductors (66.7%) and gas (125.5%) increased, while those of petroleum products (-10.9%) declined. The value of energy imports, including crude oil, gas and coal, rose 64.8%. 
 By country, imports from China (84.4%), the United States (57.6%), the European Union (87.7%), Japan (80.1%) and Taiwan (82.5%), among others, increased.

[email protected] Kim Won-jun Reporter