South Korea’s exports to China down in April

Challenges ahead: Pedestrians crossing a road in front of the Bank of Korea headquarters in Seoul. The central bank meets late this month and is battling to rein in stronger-than-expected inflation. — AFP

SEOUL: South Korea’s exports to China dropped in April, highlighting the impact that Covid-19 related lockdowns in Chinese cities are having on supply chains around the region.

Shipments to China fell 3.4% from a year earlier, compared with a 16.6% gain in March, according to a release from the South Korean trade ministry. Overall exports advanced 12.6% last month, while semiconductor sales increased 15.8%.

South Korea serves as a barometer of worldwide demand, with its manufacturing capability ranging from chips to displays and refined oil.

The diversity of destinations for its overseas shipments also means its trade performance is something of a heat map for global economic activity.

Demand has been softening in Europe and China since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and as more Chinese cities go into lockdown under the country’s Covid-Zero policy.

These twin risks to the global economy have further inflamed inflationary pressures and triggered renewed disruptions in supply chains.

Still, a strong recovery in the United States has helped maintain momentum for South Korean exports. Demand for technology products such as displays and semiconductors also remains resilient, allowing major exporters like Samsung Electronics Co to report a surge in earnings.

South Korea’s heavy reliance on trade means it needs exports to hold up in order to prevent the economy from slowing further, and provide scope for the Bank of Korea to stick to its path of policy normalisation.

The central bank meets late this month and is battling to rein in stronger-than-expected inflation. It has been among the early movers in raising interest rates.

Yesterday’s data also showed average daily shipments increased 15% in April from a year earlier.

Total automobile exports advanced 6.1% in April, while shipments of wireless communications devices rose 8.3%.

Overall exports to the US gained 26.4%, while those to Japan increased 6.2% and to the European Union they were up 7.4%.

Exports to the Commonwealth of Independent States fell 46.5%.

Overall imports rose 18.6%, mainly because of rising energy prices, bringing the nation’s trade balance to a deficit of US$2.66bil (RM11.6bil). — Bloomberg