South Korea Sept exports to China highest in 9 mths; exports to EU slip

[SEOUL] South Korean exports to China rebounded in September to rise 6.5 per cent from a year earlier, preliminary government data showed on Wednesday, reversing four straight months of declines.

Shipments to China last month marked the fastest rise since an 8.3 per cent gain in December last year.

Exports to the US accelerated 19.9 per cent on-year in September, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy data showed - the fastest since a 23.1 per cent jump in October last year.

Meanwhile, exports to the European Union fell 5.1 per cent from a year earlier, the fastest decline since an 8.9 per cent drop in September 2013.

The government data also showed average exports per working data in September reached their second-highest level on record at US$2.27 billion.

The ministry said if trade were to maintain this rate of growth South Korea could expect to post a record high trade balance this year, as well as record exports. - Reuters