South Korea's trade surplus surged to a fresh record of USD 25.74 billion in March 2026, up from USD 4.99 billion in the same month a year earlier, beating market expectations of a USD 21.2 billion surplus and marking a 14th consecutive month in the black, flash data showed. Exports jumped 48.3% year-on-year to a new peak of USD 86.13 billion for the month, exceeding forecasts of 44.9% and accelerating sharply from February’s downwardly revised 28.7% rise. This marked the strongest growth since August 1988, with exports surpassing USD 80 billion for the first time, mainly boosted by semiconductors. Meanwhile, imports climbed 13.2%, softer than expectations of 18% but accelerating from a 7.5% increase in February, marking a fifth consecutive month of expansion, supported by resilient domestic demand. source: Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE)

South Korea recorded a trade surplus of 25740 USD Million in March of 2026. Balance of Trade in South Korea averaged 1254.02 USD Million from 1966 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 25740.00 USD Million in March of 2026 and a record low of -12674.91 USD Million in January of 2023. This page provides the latest reported value for - South Korea Balance of Trade - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. South Korea Balance of Trade - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on April of 2026.

South Korea recorded a trade surplus of 25740 USD Million in March of 2026. Balance of Trade in South Korea is expected to be 18900.00 USD Million by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the South Korea Balance of Trade is projected to trend around 5000.00 USD Million in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-03-01 12:00 AM
Balance of Trade
Feb $15.5B $8.74B $10B $11.0B
2026-04-01 12:00 AM
Balance of Trade
Mar $25.74B $15.38B $21.2B $ 23.5B
2026-05-01 12:00 AM
Balance of Trade
Apr $25.74B $26.0B


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Balance of Trade 25740.00 15380.00 USD Million Mar 2026
Exports 86130.00 67450.00 USD Million Mar 2026
Exports YoY 48.30 28.70 percent Mar 2026
Imports 60400.00 51940.00 USD Million Mar 2026
Imports YoY 13.20 7.50 percent Mar 2026


South Korea Balance of Trade
South Korea is heavily dependent on international trade with the biggest trading partners including China, the US and Japan. The country has been recording consistent trade surpluses since 2008 with the exception of 2022 when the war in Ukraine increased substantially the bill for imports of oil and food.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
25740.00 15380.00 25740.00 -12674.91 1966 - 2026 USD Million Monthly

News Stream
South Korea Trade Surplus Reaches New Record
South Korea's trade surplus surged to a fresh record of USD 25.74 billion in March 2026, up from USD 4.99 billion in the same month a year earlier, beating market expectations of a USD 21.2 billion surplus and marking a 14th consecutive month in the black, flash data showed. Exports jumped 48.3% year-on-year to a new peak of USD 86.13 billion for the month, exceeding forecasts of 44.9% and accelerating sharply from February’s downwardly revised 28.7% rise. This marked the strongest growth since August 1988, with exports surpassing USD 80 billion for the first time, mainly boosted by semiconductors. Meanwhile, imports climbed 13.2%, softer than expectations of 18% but accelerating from a 7.5% increase in February, marking a fifth consecutive month of expansion, supported by resilient domestic demand.
2026-04-01
South Korea Trade Surplus Hits Record High
South Korea's trade surplus surged to a record USD 15.51 billion in February 2026 from USD 4.15 billion in the same month a year earlier, beating market expectations of a USD 10 billion surplus and marking a 13th consecutive month in the black, flash data showed. Exports rose 29% yoy to a new peak of USD 67.45 billion for the month, exceeding forecasts of 24% but easing from January’s 33.8% surge due to fewer working days amid the Lunar New Year holiday. The latest reading also signaled a ninth straight month of export growth, underpinned by strong global demand, particularly for semiconductors. Meanwhile, imports increased at a softer 7.5%, missing expectations of 13% and slowing from an 11.6% gain in January, though still posting a fourth consecutive month of expansion, supported by resilient domestic demand ahead of the holiday. However, analysts warn March’s trade outlook could be clouded by heightened geopolitical risk after coordinated U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran.
2026-03-01
South Korea Trade Balance Swings to Surplus
South Korea posted a trade surplus of USD 8.74 billion in January 2026, shifting from a USD 1.89 billion deficit a year earlier and surpassing expectations of a USD 4.6 billion surplus, according to preliminary data, as exports surged. Outbound shipments jumped 33.9% year-on-year to USD 65.85 billion, the strongest growth since August 2021, accelerating sharply from a downwardly revised 13.3% increase in December and exceeding forecasts of a 29.9% rise. The growth was mainly driven by robust demand for semiconductors, the country’s top export item, which soared 102.7% year-on-year on strong AI-related demand. The increase was also supported by a higher number of working days compared with January last year. It also marked the highest January figure on record and the first time January exports exceeded USD 60 billion. Meanwhile, imports rose 11.7% to USD 57.10 billion, following a 4.6% gain in December but coming in below expectations of 14.6% growth.
2026-02-01