In September 2026, South Korea recorded its highest monthly exports, reaching $120.94 billion. This represents an 83.5% increase compared to the previous year and marks 16 consecutive months of growth. The result significantly outperformed initial analyst forecasts of 62% growth.
Semiconductor exports were the primary driver, surging between 262.8% and 263% year-over-year to reach $60.3 billion. This category now accounts for nearly half of the country's total exports. Additionally, computer exports rose by 435.3% to $7 billion, fueled by demand for AI infrastructure.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources reported that imports grew by 26% to $71.09 billion. With exports rising at a much faster pace, the country achieved a record monthly trade surplus of $49.85 billion. Cumulative exports for the first nine months of 2026 reached $814.5 billion.
Shipments to major markets also saw substantial growth, with exports to China increasing by 123% to $26 billion and exports to the US rising by 137% to $24.33 billion. This trend is largely attributed to sustained investments in AI infrastructure and data centers by global cloud operators.
