S. Korea’s export volume grows for 13th month in September

SEOUL, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) — South Korea’s export volume grew for the 13th successive month in September due to strong demand for locally-made oil and tech products, central bank data showed Tuesday.
Export volume index gained 3.9 percent in September from a year earlier, continuing to expand since September last year, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK).
In terms of volume, outbound shipment for computer, electronic and optical devices, including semiconductors, increased 5.7 percent in September on a yearly basis, keeping an upward trend for the 14th straight month.
Export volume for coal and oil products advanced 9.7 percent, but those for chemical products, electrical equipment and machinery reduced in single digits.
Export value index climbed 5.0 percent in September compared to the same month of last year, lower than an increase of 8.2 percent in the previous month.
Import volume index added 2.4 percent in September from a year earlier, while import value index was up 2.1 percent in the cited month.
Net terms-of-trade index for goods, or a ratio of export prices to import prices, gained 1.4 percent in September from a year earlier owing to export price growth. ■