South Korea’s export prices surged 46.9% year-on-year in May 2026, the largest increase since March 1998 during the foreign exchange crisis. The rise was largely driven by strong demand for semiconductors, a key South Korean export, amid the global artificial intelligence boom. Among major categories, prices for manufactured goods climbed 46.9%, with computers, electronic and optical equipment soaring 104%. Prices also increased for coal and petroleum products (88.6%), basic metal products (31.6%), and chemical products (28.3%). Meanwhile, prices for agricultural, forestry, and marine products rose 32.4%. On a monthly basis, export prices edged up 0.3%. South Korea’s net barter terms of trade index, which compares export and import price growth, rose 18.7%, its second-highest reading on record after March’s 22.8%. Despite higher oil prices, the index increased sharply as soaring semiconductor prices more than offset rising import costs. source: The Bank of Korea
Export Prices YoY in South Korea increased to 46.90 percent in May from 41.30 percent in April of 2026. Export Prices YoY in South Korea averaged 4.23 percent from 1972 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 75.40 percent in January of 1998 and a record low of -35.60 percent in January of 1999. This page includes a chart with historical data for South Korea Export Prices YoY. South Korea Export Prices YoY - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2026.
Export Prices YoY in South Korea increased to 46.90 percent in May from 41.30 percent in April of 2026. Export Prices YoY in South Korea is expected to be 52.20 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the South Korea Export Prices YoY is projected to trend around 6.00 percent in 2027 and 5.00 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.