South Korea's exports surge 52.3% in the first 20 Days of July, driven by AI Semiconductor Boom

Jul 21, 2026

South Korea's exports for the first 20 days of July 2026 surged 52.3% year-over-year to a record $54.9 billion, driven by an extraordinary 180.6% boom in semiconductor shipments to $22.1 billion. This tech-led expansion, fueled by global artificial intelligence infrastructure demand, offset a 10.6% decline in car exports. Shipments to China nearly doubled to $13.3 billion, while exports to the United States rose 39.6% to $8.96 billion, yielding a substantial trade surplus of $12.2 billion.

South Korea export surge

▪South Korea's exports for the first 20 days of July 2026 jumped 52.3% year-over-year to $54.9 billion, marking a record high for the period.
▪South Korea's average daily exports for the July 1-20, 2026 period increased 62.9% year-over-year to $3.79 billion, based on 14.5 working days.

AI semiconductor demand boom

▪South Korea's semiconductor exports soared 180.6% year-over-year to $22.1 billion during the first 20 days of July 2026, accounting for 40.3% of total exports.
▪South Korea's exports of computer peripherals surged 231.9% year-over-year to $2.04 billion in early July 2026, driven by demand for solid-state drives in artificial intelligence servers.

Sector-specific export performance

▪South Korea's ship exports climbed 70.8% year-over-year to $2.44 billion during the July 1-20, 2026 period.
▪South Korea's passenger vehicle exports declined 10.6% year-over-year to $3.24 billion during the first 20 days of July 2026.

China export market growth

▪South Korea's exports to China jumped 94.1% year-over-year to $13.3 billion during the first 20 days of July 2026.
▪South Korea's imports from China gained 21.8% during the July 1-20, 2026 period.

United States export market

▪South Korea's exports to the United States increased 39.6% year-over-year to $8.96 billion during the first 20 days of July 2026.
▪South Korea's imports from the United States increased 17.1% during the July 1-20, 2026 period.

South Korea trade outlook

▪South Korea's imports rose 20% year-over-year to $42.7 billion in early July 2026, resulting in a trade surplus of $12.2 billion.
▪South Korea's cumulative exports from the beginning of 2026 through July 20 reached $551.2 billion, representing a 48.7% increase compared to the same period in 2025.