South Korea’s export price index recorded a sharp year-over-year increase of 40.8% in April 2026, up from a 29.5% rise in March, according to data updated on 14 May 2026. The figures reflect export prices in April compared with the same month a year earlier, while the previous reading captured March’s prices versus March of the prior year.
The acceleration from 29.5% to 40.8% underscores mounting price pressures in South Korea’s export sector. Because the index is measured on a year-over-year basis, the latest reading signals that Korean exporters are facing significantly higher pricing conditions than they did a year ago, with the pace of increase intensifying between March and April.
The stronger rise in export prices may have implications for trade competitiveness and profit margins across key industries, as well as for broader inflation dynamics, given the country’s strong integration into global supply chains. Market participants will be watching upcoming releases closely to assess whether April’s spike marks the beginning of a more persistent trend in export price inflation.
