South Korea’s imports rose 16.7% year-on-year to the second-highest on record of USD 62.11 billion in April 2026, accelerating from a 13.2% growth in the previous month and topping market forecasts of 14.5%, according to flash data. The latest result marked a sixth straight month of expansion in inbound shipments and the fastest pace since September 2022, indicating robust domestic demand despite trade flow disruptions tied to the Middle East conflict, with support from Seoul’s successive rounds of household and business stimulus last year. Import growth may stay supported in the near term by solid domestic consumption and restocking needs, though volatility in energy markets and lingering geopolitical risks could lead to uneven trade flows in the coming months. source: Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE)

Imports YoY in South Korea increased to 16.70 percent in April from 13.20 percent in March of 2026. Imports YoY in South Korea averaged 14.67 percent from 1967 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 115.60 percent in February of 1974 and a record low of -43.90 percent in July of 1998. This page includes a chart with historical data for South Korea Imports YoY. South Korea Imports YoY - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on May of 2026.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-04-01 12:00 AM
Imports YoY
Mar 13.2% 7.5% 18%
2026-05-01 12:00 AM
Imports YoY
Apr 16.7% 13.2% 14.5%
2026-06-01 12:00 AM
Imports YoY
May 16.7%


South Korea Imports YoY
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
16.70 13.20 115.60 -43.90 1967 - 2026 percent Monthly

News Stream
South Korea Import Growth at 3-1/2-Year High
South Korea’s imports rose 16.7% year-on-year to the second-highest on record of USD 62.11 billion in April 2026, accelerating from a 13.2% growth in the previous month and topping market forecasts of 14.5%, according to flash data. The latest result marked a sixth straight month of expansion in inbound shipments and the fastest pace since September 2022, indicating robust domestic demand despite trade flow disruptions tied to the Middle East conflict, with support from Seoul’s successive rounds of household and business stimulus last year. Import growth may stay supported in the near term by solid domestic consumption and restocking needs, though volatility in energy markets and lingering geopolitical risks could lead to uneven trade flows in the coming months.
2026-05-01
South Korea Imports Rise Less than Estimated
South Korea’s imports rose 13.2% year-on-year to USD 60.4 billion in March 2026, the highest amount since September 2022, accelerating from a 7.5% growth in the previous month, according to flash data. The latest result marked a fifth straight month of expansion in inbound shipments, boosted by robust domestic demand after Seoul's multiple rounds of household and business support measures in 2025. However, the pace of import growth was below market forecasts of a 18% gain, partly reflecting lingering uncertainty tied to Middle East tensions. The Iran conflict has driven up global crude oil prices, increasing import bills for energy-reliant South Korea and adding to inflation risks. At the same time, heightened volatility has prompted some firms to delay or scale back orders, tempering overall import growth.
2026-04-01
South Korea Imports Grow Less than Expected
South Korea’s imports rose 7.5% yoy to USD 51.94 billion in February 2026, slowing from an 11.6% expansion in the previous month and falling short of market estimates of 13%, a flash reading showed. Still, the latest result marked the fourth successive month of purchases, lifted by sustained domestic demand ahead of the Lunar New Year festival. Crude oil imports declined 11.4%, amid relatively stable international oil prices in the first two months of the year.
2026-03-01


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