South Korea Export Price Growth Eases

South Korea’s export prices surged 42.4% year over year in August 2026, easing from a 48.9% increase in the previous month. Among major categories, manufactured goods prices climbed 42.4%, led by a 113.2% jump in computers, electronic and optical equipment. Prices also increased for coal and petroleum products (65.9%), basic metal products (20.2%), and chemical products (14.0%). Meanwhile, prices for agricultural, forestry and marine products rose 28.4%. On a monthly basis, the Export Price Index decreased 3.7%. The Export Volume Index rose 25.9% year over year, while the Export Value Index increased 75.8%. The Net Barter Terms of Trade Index also rose 27.1%.

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%.