South Korea Chip Exports Hit Record High as DRAM and NAND Surge in Q1 2025

South Korea's semiconductor exports hit a record high in the first quarter of 2025, driven by surging demand for memory chips used in AI data centers. The country's total export value reached $219.9 billion, a 37.8% increase year-on-year, according to the South Korea Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Semiconductor exports surge 139% to $78.5 billion.

Semiconductor exports alone surged 139% to $78.5 billion. Within that category, DRAM exports jumped 249.1% to $35.79 billion, while NAND flash exports soared 377.5% to $5.39 billion. The growth was fueled by strong demand from AI data centers, which require large amounts of high-bandwidth memory and storage.

The record export figures underscore the dominant position of South Korean memory makers Samsung and SK Hynix in the global semiconductor market. Both companies have benefited from the AI boom, which has driven up prices and volumes for DRAM and NAND flash products.

The South Korea Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy provided the export data. The ministry did not specify whether the growth trend will continue in the coming quarters.