Lower prices fuel trade in the short term, but external risks, including China and oil prices, could reverse gains
South Korea’s export and import prices continued their downward trend in September for the second straight month, according to data from the Bank of Korea (BOK) on Tuesday. The export price index dropped by 2.3% from August, driven by falling prices for key products such as coal, petroleum and electronics. Meanwhile, the import price index fell by 2.2%, largely due to a decrease in international oil prices and a weaker won-dollar exchange rate.
Despite declining prices, the volume of trade increased. The export volume index rose by 3.9%, and the import volume index grew by 2.4% year-on-year. This indicates that South Korean companies are exporting and importing more goods, even as prices fall, signaling resilience in trade activity.
South Korea’s export and import prices continued their downward trend in September for the second straight month, according to data from the Bank of Korea (BOK) on Tuesday. The export price index dropped by 2.3% from August, driven by falling prices for key products such as coal, petroleum and electronics. Meanwhile, the import price index fell by 2.2%, largely due to a decrease in international oil prices and a weaker won-dollar exchange rate.
Despite declining prices, the volume of trade increased. The export volume index rose by 3.9%, and the import volume index grew by 2.4% year-on-year. This indicates that South Korean companies are exporting and importing more goods, even as prices fall, signaling resilience in trade activity.
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