SEOUL, June 17 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's export volume grew for the fourth straight month due to strong demand for electronic products, central bank data showed Tuesday.
The export volume index rose 2.5 percent in May from a year earlier, continuing to expand since February, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK).
In terms of volume, outbound shipment for computers, electronic and optical devices mounted 17.2 percent in May on a yearly basis, keeping a double-digit growth for the third consecutive month.
Export volume for oil products, chemicals, metal products, machinery and electrical equipment diminished in single figures.
The export value index reduced 1.9 percent in May compared with the same month of last year, turning downward in four months.
The import volume index climbed 1.3 percent in the cited month, but the import value index retreated 6.3 percent owing to lower prices for raw materials.
The net terms-of-trade index for goods, or a ratio of export price to import price, was up 3.4 percent in May on a yearly basis on the back of faster fall in import price than export price. ■
