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Busan Exports Rebound Again as April Exports Rise for Two Consecutive Months and Trade Surplus Continues for Three Straight Months

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Busan Metropolitan City announced that, according to its analysis of the city’s April 2026 import and export trends, exports from the Busan region totaled approximately USD 1.357 billion, an increase of around 6.5 percent compared to the same month last year.

○ Imports were recorded at approximately USD 1.334 billion, down 5.8 percent year-on-year, while the trade balance posted a surplus of approximately USD 23 million.

□ The latest export performance is particularly significant as it marks the highest level since May 2023. Despite the prolonged conflict in the Middle East and growing global uncertainty, Busan exports continued their upward trend for a second straight month, while the trade surplus remained positive for three consecutive months.

□ In particular, April exports showed balanced growth across a wide range of product categories rather than being concentrated in a few specific items, leading the overall increase in exports.

○ Among the city’s 11 major export categories by export value, 10 recorded year-on-year growth.

○ By product category, electric vehicles, other machinery, cosmetics, other fishery products, ships, and aircraft parts recorded particularly strong growth rates of 7,597 percent, 270.8 percent, 108.3 percent, 93.4 percent, 46.1 percent, and 35.9 percent, respectively.

○ In particular, exports related to electric vehicles rose sharply due to increased export volumes to the United States. Cosmetics exports from Busan also continued to grow, driven by the popularity of K-beauty in Asian and North American markets.

○ Meanwhile, automobile parts exports declined 10.9 percent year-on-year due to U.S. tariffs and expanded local production by major automakers, but increased 7.3 percent compared to the previous month.

□ By region, exports increased mainly to the United States, China, Latin America, and Africa, indicating continued diversification of export markets.

○ Exports to the United States increased 46.1 percent, China 26.2 percent, Latin America 17.3 percent, and Africa 97.8 percent year-on-year.

○ By product category, exports of seafood products to Africa expanded, while eco-friendly vehicles and steel products such as galvanized steel sheets also showed increased exports centered on Latin American countries.

○ On the other hand, exports to the Middle East declined 39.8 percent year-on-year due to logistics disruptions and uncertainty caused by the regional conflict. However, they increased 68.2 percent compared to the previous month, showing signs of partial recovery.

□ Busan Metropolitan City noted that exports continue to grow across a diverse range of products, including eco-friendly electric vehicles, cosmetics, and electric wires, despite recent instability in global supply chains and changes in the international trade environment.

○ In particular, among power equipment products, exports of low-voltage cables have continued to increase in emerging markets such as China, India, and Vietnam, while exports of high-voltage cables have expanded mainly to the United States. Electronic connection components have also seen increased exports to the United States, China, and the Philippines.

□ Kim Kyung-duk, Acting Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City, stated, “This recovery in exports demonstrates that our city’s efforts to diversify exports are producing tangible results despite heightened external uncertainty.”

He added, “We will continue to strengthen the export competitiveness of promising products and actively support diversification of export markets to further enhance the vitality of regional exports.”