À̹ÌÁö È®´ë South Korea¡¯s exports fell 20.8 percent in the first 10 days of November from the same period a year ago amid continued slump in chip demand, data showed Monday.
According to data released by Korea Customs Service, the country¡¯s outbound shipments totaled $11.9 billion in the November 1-10 period, down 20.8 percent from the same period a year earlier. The customs agency, however, noted that actual decline during the period shrinks to 9.5 percent when considering that there was one less business day.
By item, exports of semiconductors, which take up a lion share of Korea¡¯s total outbound shipments, plunged 33.3 percent in the first 10 days of November, petroleum products 27.1 percent, and vessels 64.4 percent. Shipments of automobiles fell 3.8 percent and wireless communication devices 5.6 percent.
By country, exports to China sank 17.1 percent in the first 10 days of November from the same period a year earlier, the United States 18.4 percent, Vietnam 20.2 percent, the European Union 27.8 percent, and Japan 15.1 percent.
Imports over the same period also fell 21.5 percent to $12.3 billion, leading to a trade deficit of $400 million.
Imports of crude oil fell 25.8 percent, with gas down 17.1 percent, machinery 8 percent, petrochemical products 54.4 percent, and automobiles 26.8 percent, data showed.
Imports from China fell 17.5 percent, the Middle East 20.3 percent, the EU 30.9 percent, Japan 28.1 percent, and Vietnam 15 percent. Imports from the U.S., meanwhile, jumped 6.1 percent over the cited period.
Imports from Japan, in particular, plunged 28.1 percent in the first 10 days of November, versus a 15.1 percent decline in Korea¡¯s outbound shipments to the neighboring country amid ongoing trade dispute.
By Lee Eun-joo
[¨Ï Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]