Exports in South Korea in the first 20 days of October declined 5.8 percent from the same period a year ago, but daily export increased 5.9 percent, suggesting fragility in external demand.

Outbound shipments in Oct. 1-20 period came at $25.2 billion, down 5.8 percent from a year earlier, according to the preliminary data from Korea Customs Service on Wednesday.

Daily exports, on the other hand, rose 5.9 percent. There were 12 working days in the period, 1.5 days fewer compared to last year.

With the number of working days factored out, shipments of automobiles tumbled 7.6 percent on year, wireless communication devices 1.7 percent and petroleum products 42.1 percent.

Semiconductor exports increased 12.1 percent, precision machinery 1.9 percent and computer peripherals 10.5 percent.

Shipments to China, Korea’s largest trading partner, dipped 4.6 percent. Exports to the United States fell 2.3 percent and Japan 17 percent. Shipments bound for Vietnam gained 0.7 percent, the European Union 13.8 percent and Canada 38.8 percent.

Imports slumped 2.8 percent in the first 20 days of the month to $24.7 billion, bringing trade balance to a surplus of $4.6 billion.

Imports from China grew 3.7 percent, the EU 17.3 percent, the U.S. 2.5 percent and Japan 6.3 percent. Imports from the Middle East slipped 37.6 percent, Vietnam 6.4 percent and Australia 6.2 percent.

By Choi Mira

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]