South Korea Export Prices Surge in July

South Korea’s export prices surged 49.1% year-on-year in July 2026, marking the largest increase since 1998 during the Asian financial crisis. Among major categories, manufactured goods prices climbed 49.1%, led by a 122.3% jump in computers, electronic and optical equipment. Prices also increased for coal and petroleum products (61.5%), basic metal products (28.1%), and chemical products (22.7%). Meanwhile, prices for agricultural, forestry and marine products rose 32.6%. On a monthly basis, the Export Price Index increased 1.0%. The Export Volume Index rose 14.7% year-on-year, while the Export Value Index increased 25.8%. The Net Barter Terms of Trade Index also rose 24.7%.

South Korea's export prices surged 48.9% year-on-year in June 2026, marking the largest increase since 1998 during the Asian financial crisis. Among the major categories, prices for manufactured goods climbed 48.9%, with computers, electronic and optical equipment soaring 117.4%. Prices also increased for coal and petroleum products (56.1%), basic metal products (34.3%), and chemical products (28.4%). Meanwhile, prices for agricultural, forestry, and marine products rose 40.5%. On a monthly basis, the Export Price Index was unchanged in June. South Korea's net barter terms of trade index, which compares export and import price growth, rose 15.6% year-on-year. The Export Volume Index increased 29.8%, while the Export Value Index surged 74.8%.

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.