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Strong South Korean DRAM Exports Reported for November

Friday, November 28, 2025 at 01:03 PM

Official data indicates that South Korea's DRAM exports for November were remarkably strong, suggesting a robust performance in the memory semiconductor market.

Context

South Korea's November 2025 trade data signals a powerful acceleration in the global semiconductor market, providing a strong tailwind for key memory suppliers. Total exports rose 8.4% year-over-year, but the standout was the chip sector, where exports surged 38.5% to a record monthly high of $17.26 billion. This record performance was driven by robust demand for advanced memory chips like DRAM, fueled by the AI data center boom and resulting in higher memory prices. This news is a significant positive indicator for market leaders Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, confirming the strength and momentum of the current memory upcycle. The scale of the upswing is notable; cumulative semiconductor exports through November reached $152.6 billion, already surpassing the previous full-year record. The strong chip performance anchored South Korea's overall trade, contributing to a massive $9.7 billion trade surplus for the month, the largest since September 2017.