SEOUL, April 13 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's exports logged a double-digit growth in the first 10 days of April due to soaring demand for locally-made semiconductors, customs office data showed Monday.
The outbound shipment totaled 25.21 billion U.S. dollars in the April 1 to 10 period, up 36.7 percent compared to the same period of last year, according to Korea Customs Service.
The daily average export surged 36.7 percent to 2.97 billion dollars in the cited period.
Semiconductor exports spiked 152.5 percent to 8.57 billion dollars due to strong demand for chips used in artificial intelligence (AI).
Oil products shipment jumped 38.6 percent, but automotive export reduced 6.7 percent.
Shipment for steel products, ships and mobile devices advanced in double figures, but those for auto parts, precision machinery and home appliances declined in the 10-day period.
The Asian country's imports expanded 12.7 percent from a year earlier to 22.11 billion dollars in the first 10 days of April, sending the trade surplus to 3.10 billion dollars.
Imports of chips, semiconductor equipment, natural gas and coal increased in double digits, but those for machinery, oil products and mobile devices fell by single digits. ■
