South Korea's exports jump 93.7% in October, led by AI chips

South Korea's exports nearly doubled in October 2026, reaching US$115.28 billion. The increase was 93.7% compared with October 2025, according to figures released on 1 November and reported by Reuters and The Wall Street Journal. Strong global demand for chips and artificial intelligence equipment was a key driver.

Semiconductors drive the surge

South Korean semiconductor exports reached US$56.44 billion in October — an increase of 259,4% year on year. Demand for memory chips and components used in servers and data centres is supporting manufacturers and technology suppliers.

Calendar effects also influence the comparison

The result reflects more than the expansion of investment in AI infrastructure. October 2026 also had more working days than the same month a year earlier because of the timing of Korean holidays. The 93.7% increase should therefore not be interpreted as an equivalent one-month rise in physical output.

What the trade data show

Imports during the month reached US$72.78 billion, about 36% higher year on year. The trade surplus was therefore approximately US$42.5 billion. Exports for the first ten months of the year totalled around US$930 billion. These are reported trade values, not a forecast for the coming months.

The figures matter for global technology markets: South Korea is a major supplier of semiconductors used in electronics, servers and computing systems. However, one month's trade data cannot by themselves establish what will happen to device prices in Bulgaria.

Sources: Reuters, 1 November 2026; The Wall Street Journal, 1 November 2026.

Photo: Umberto / Unsplash — illustrative image of an electronic circuit board, not taken in a South Korean factory in October 2026.