September trade data released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources on Oct. 1 said exports last month set an all-time monthly record with USD 120.94 billion, a 83.5% jump year on year. Shown are containers at the central pier of Busan Port. (Busan Port Authority)

By Margareth Theresia

Exports in September broke USD 120 billion for the first time to set an all-time monthly record.

Overseas shipments in the first nine months of the year also set a milestone by topping USD 800 billion, exceeding the record figure for all of last year.

Trade data released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources on Oct. 1 said exports last month surged 83.5% year on year to USD 120.94 billion. Imports rose 26% to USD 71.09 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of USD 49.85 billion, another monthly record.

Cumulative exports in the first three quarters hit USD 814.5 billion, the highest in history for the period and exceeding USD 709.3 billion for all of 2025.

By category, 11 of the top 20 export items saw growth. Semiconductors shot up 262.8% year on year while other products excluding chips grew 23%.

Semiconductor exports broke USD 60 billion in a monthly first with USD 60.3 billion, thanks to higher export volume driven by rising demand for memory chips and growth in fixed prices.

Computer exports skyrocketed an insane 435.3% to USD 7 billion, while those of wireless communication devices increased 23.4% to USD 2.14 billion.

Exports of vessels grew 29.9% to USD 3.76 billion thanks to higher deliveries of liquefied natural gas carriers. Those of petroleum products jumped 72% to USD 7.22 billion despite export volume falling 6.9% due to the rise in international oil prices.

By region, six of Korea's nine major export markets saw growth.

Exports to China surpassed USD 20 billion for the fourth consecutive month with USD 26.01 billion, mainly from strong demand for semiconductors, wireless communication devices and computers. Those to the U.S. surged 137% year on year to USD 24.33 billion thanks to broader growth across sectors such as chips, petroleum products and general machinery.

Shipments to Southeast Asia jumped 92.6% to USD 21.29 billion, breaking USD 20 billion for the first time. Those to the European Union rose 20.9% to USD 8.65 billion to post the 10th straight month of growth.

margareth@korea.kr