US Markets
South Korea Exports Rise 48% on Year in April, Driven by Semiconductors
The AI-boom played out in South Korea's trade picture in April, with exports rising 48% on year, driven by surging shipments of semiconductors, reported the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) on Friday.South Korea exports reached $85.89 billion in April, led by shipments of chips, which rose 173.5% on year to $31.9 billion, according to officials. Outbound shipments in April rose for the 11th-straight month.South Korea computer and parts exports rose five-fold to $4.08 billion, the highest monthly figure ever, as global demand for solid-state drives spiked in the AI-boom.The April export level marked South Korea's second-highest monthly export figure ever, on the heels of the all-time high of $86.6 billion figure recorded in March.South Korea auto exports dropped 5.5% on year to $6.17 billion in April, due to shipping disruptions caused by the Mideast crisis, and to South Korean automakers expanding of production in the US to meet Washington trade policies, MOTIR said, reported the The Korea Herald newspaper.Exports to the Middle East declined 25.1% on-year in April, to $1.27 billion, hampered by the war between the US and Iran, the ministry said.On the import side, nation's inbound shipments rose 16.7% on-year in April to $62.11 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $23.77 billion, reported MOTIR.
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