South Korea's chip exports surged 222.5% year-on-year to $27.5 billion in the first 20 days of October

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AI demand continues to surge! In the first 20 days of October, South Korea's chip exports soared 222.5%

Cailian Press, Bian Chun | Editor: Lin Qi | 2026-10-21 12:28

① Data released by South Korea's Customs Service on Wednesday showed that from October 1 to 20, South Korea's exports reached $61.6 billion, more than doubling year-on-year and setting the highest record for the same period in history; ② Chip exports soared 222.5% year-on-year to $27.5 billion, a record high for the same period; ③ If this trend continues, South Korea's annual exports this year may exceed $1 trillion for the first time in history.

Cailian Press, October 21 (Editor: Bian Chun) — Data released by South Korea's Customs Service on Wednesday showed that, thanks to strong semiconductor exports amid the AI boom, South Korea's exports from October 1 to 20 reached $61.6 billion, more than doubling year-on-year and setting the highest record for the same period in history.

On a working-day basis, average daily exports were $4.74 billion, the highest level for the first 20 days of any month in history.

On the import side, in the first 20 days of October, South Korea's imports rose 42.8% year-on-year to $47.1 billion, posting a trade surplus of $14.5 billion.

By sector, in the first 20 days of October, chip exports soared 222.5% year-on-year to $27.5 billion, a record high for the same period. Chips accounted for 44.7% of total exports, up 16.2 percentage points from the same period last year.

Petroleum product exports rose 68.3% to $3.94 billion, automobile exports rose 40.9% to $3.35 billion, and steel product exports rose 42.6% to $2.58 billion.

By destination, exports to China rose 154.4% to $16.6 billion, exports to the United States rose 154.9% to $10.7 billion, and exports to Vietnam and the European Union rose 74.6% and 78.2%, respectively.

Last month, South Korea's exports exceeded $120 billion for the first time, up 83.7% year-on-year, the largest increase since February 1974.

Year to date, South Korea's cumulative exports have reached $876.3 billion, up 59.5% year-on-year; the cumulative trade surplus has reached $266.9 billion.

If this trend continues, South Korea's annual exports this year may exceed $1 trillion for the first time in history.

South Korean Finance Minister Lee Hyung-il said last Saturday that the semiconductor industry's boom will last at least until 2027. He also said the semiconductor industry has driven tax revenue growth, and South Korea's tax revenue this year is expected to exceed initial expectations. Thanks to the chip industry boom, South Korea's fiscal position will be stronger.

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Memory chips

Cailian Press statement: The content of this article is for reference only and does not constitute investment advice. Investors who act on it do so at their own risk.

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