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. source: Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE)

South Korea recorded a trade surplus of 8740 USD Million in January of 2026. Balance of Trade in South Korea averaged 1200.47 USD Million from 1966 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 13419.36 USD Million in September of 2017 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 February of 2026.

South Korea recorded a trade surplus of 8740 USD Million in January of 2026. Balance of Trade in South Korea is expected to be 1500.00 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
2026-01-01 12:00 AM
Balance of Trade
Dec $12.18B $9.74B $10B $ 9B
2026-02-01 12:00 AM
Balance of Trade
Jan $8.74B $12.17B $4.6B $4.8B
2026-03-01 12:00 AM
Balance of Trade
Feb $8.74B $11.0B


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Balance of Trade 8740.00 12170.00 USD Million Jan 2026
Exports 65850.00 69580.00 USD Million Jan 2026
Exports YoY 33.90 13.30 percent Jan 2026
Imports 57100.00 57400.00 USD Million Jan 2026
Imports YoY 11.70 4.60 percent Jan 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
8740.00 12170.00 13419.36 -12674.91 1966 - 2026 USD Million Monthly

News Stream
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
South Korea December Trade Surplus Largest Since 2017
South Korea’s trade surplus widened to USD 12.18 billion in December 2025, up from USD 6.49 billion a year earlier and surpassing expectations of USD 10 billion, according to preliminary data. It was the largest monthly trade surplus since April 2017, as exports rose much more than imports. Outbound shipments surged 13.4% from a year earlier to a record USD 69.58 billion, the strongest growth since July 2024, accelerating from an 8.4% rise in November and exceeding forecasts of an 8.3% increase. The gains were mainly driven by a 43.2% surge in semiconductor exports, amid easing concerns over global trade uncertainty. Meanwhile, imports climbed 4.6% to an all-time high of USD 57.40 billion, following a downwardly revised 1.1% rise in November and topping market expectations of a 2.4% gain. For the full year of 2025, the country posted a trade surplus of USD 78 billion, with exports rising 3.8% to a record USD 709.7 billion, while imports edged down 0.02% to USD 631.7 billion.
2026-01-01
South Korea Trade Surplus Largest Since 2017
South Korea’s trade surplus widened to USD 9.74 billion in November 2025, up from USD 5.61 billion a year earlier and surpassing expectations of USD 8.4 billion, according to preliminary data. It was the largest trade surplus since September 2017, as exports rose much more than imports. Exports grew 8.4% yoy, accelerating from a downwardly revised 3.5% rise in October and exceeding forecasts of a 5.7% increase, marking the sixth consecutive month of export growth. The rise was supported by robust demand for semiconductors, the country’s top export item, which surged 38.6% yoy to a record high of USD 17.26 billion. Overall, exports to the US fell 0.2% due to the impact of new US tariffs, while exports to China rose 6.9%. Last month, South Korea and the US announced they would reduce reciprocal tariffs from 25% to 15%, while tariffs on automobiles and auto parts will remain at 25%. Meanwhile, imports rose 1.2%, rebounding from a 1.5% fall in October and below forecasts of 3.4% growth.
2025-12-01