Gwangju Sees Double-Digit Growth in Both Exports and Imports
Jeonnam Faces Decline Amid Sluggish Petroleum and Chemical Sectors
Overall Exports Down, But Trade Surplus Maintained
Accumulated Trade Surplus Reaches $4.04 Billion from January to April
The trade balance for Gwangju and Jeonnam in April recorded a surplus of $990 million. Although total exports declined, Gwangju saw increases in both exports and imports, driving the trade surplus. In contrast, Jeonnam experienced a clear downward trend due to sluggish petrochemical exports.
According to the "Export and Import Trends for April 2025" announced by the Gwangju Main Customs Office on May 15, exports from the Gwangju and Jeonnam region in April amounted to $5.038 billion, a 5.0% decrease compared to the same month last year. Imports totaled $4.048 billion, down 2.4% year-on-year. The trade balance posted a surplus of $990 million.
On a cumulative basis from January to April, exports fell by 14.2% compared to the same period last year, while imports decreased by 8.1%. The accumulated trade surplus reached $4.04 billion.
Gwangju showed a marked increase, mainly in semiconductors and machinery. Exports in April were $1.647 billion, up 17.8% year-on-year, while imports rose 22.9% to $661 million. The trade balance posted a surplus of $986 million.
Gwangju's exports increased in semiconductors (56.4%), machinery (51.7%), transportation equipment (10.6%), and tires (8.5%). In contrast, exports of home appliances fell by 34.6%. Imports rose for rubber (74.2%), semiconductors (29.7%), and home appliances (26.3%), but decreased for chemical products (11.4%) and machinery (2.3%).
By export destination, shipments increased to Southeast Asia (49.8%), China (18.3%), the European Union (EU, 3.7%), and the United States (2.4%), while exports to Central and South America declined by 6.3%. Imports increased from all major countries: Japan (27.4%), Southeast Asia (26.2%), the United States (21.6%), the EU (10.1%), and China (6.8%).
Jeonnam showed a pronounced slump in petroleum and chemical products. Exports in April dropped by 13.2% to $3.391 billion, while imports fell by 6.1% to $3.387 billion. The trade surplus was only $4 million.
Exports of machinery (77.6%), transportation equipment (25.5%), and steel products (3.5%) increased, but chemical products (27.3%) and petroleum products (21.3%) declined. Imports of petroleum products (23.0%) and iron ore (1.2%) increased, while coal (46.6%), chemical products (12.9%), and crude oil (5.2%) decreased.
Jeonnam's exports to the EU surged by 92.4%, but exports to Southeast Asia (30.8%), Japan (29.8%), China (13.9%), and the United States (8.9%) declined. Imports from the United States rose slightly by 3.8%, while imports from Southeast Asia (23.1%), China (18.5%), Australia (13.1%), and the Middle East (7.1%) decreased.
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