South Korea Export Prices Post Biggest Jump Since 1998

2026-05-14 21:40 By Isabela Couto 1 min. read

South Korea’s export prices surged 40.8% year-on-year in April 2026, the largest since 1998, and accelerating from a 29.5% increase in March, reflecting intensifying price pressures across the country’s external sector.

The increase was mainly driven by manufactured goods, which rose 40.9%, with computers, electronic and optical equipment surging 88.7%, standing out as the key contributor to overall gains.

Additional support came from coal and petroleum products (101.8%), basic metals (24.8%) and chemical products (21.9%), highlighting broad-based strength across major industrial export categories.

Prices for agricultural, forestry and marine products also increased 28.5%.



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