SEOUL, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's export fell in single digits in the first 20 days of this month owing to fewer business days, customs office data showed Monday.
Outbound shipment shrank 2.9 percent from a year earlier to 32.77 billion U.S. dollars in the October 1-20 period, according to Korea Customs Service.
The downturn was attributed to fewer working days. The daily average export added 1.0 percent in the 20-day period.
The monthly export maintained an upward trend for the 12th consecutive month through September.
Semiconductor export soared 36.1 percent to 7.1 billion dollars in the cited period, but automotive shipment dipped 3.3 percent to 3.19 billion dollars.
Shipment for oil products, ships, mobile devices, precision machinery and home appliances slipped in double digits.
Import declined 10.1 percent to 33.78 billion dollars in the October 20-day period, sending the trade deficit to 1.01 billion dollars.
Import for crude oil, coal, oil products, mobile devices and cars logged a double-digit decrease in the 20-day period. ■
