Exports of small and medium-sized companies in the first half of this year reached $64 billion, the highest in the first half of this year, as demand for semiconductors soared amid the strong K-beauty craze. Exports of cosmetics and semiconductors increased by more than 30% and 48% year-on-year, respectively, serving as beneficial items.

On the 23rd, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced the "Export Trends of SMEs in the First Half of 2026." According to the report, exports to SMEs increased 11.6% year-on-year to $64 billion. The previous high was $59.1 billion in 2022.

The number of small and medium-sized export companies was 80,490, the highest ever in the first half of the year.

Cosmetics exports rose 30.7% year-on-year to $5.07 billion, the highest ever in exports in the first half of the year. Cosmetics is also the top export item. Cosmetics reached $3.29 billion in 2024 and $3.88 billion in 2025, marking the third consecutive year of highs in the first half of the year. Exports to Europe rose 62.4% to $1.26 billion in the first half of this year, and North America rose 36.8% to $1.06 billion, driving good performance. Exports to Latin America also rose 131.9% to $120 million.

Exports of semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing equipment also rose 48.3% and 33.2% to $2.28 billion and $2.03 billion, respectively, the highest in the first half of the year. Shim Jae-yoon, global growth policy director at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, said, "The global artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor boom and rising unit prices continued to lead to the highest exports in the first half of the year," adding, "The high growth rate is continuing in Hong Kong and Vietnam, where global semiconductor distribution and post-processing bases are concentrated."

Automobile exports turned downward, falling 15.2% year-on-year due to logistical disruptions caused by the Middle East war.

By country, exports increased year-on-year in nine countries, including China and the United States, among the top 10 exporters of small and medium-sized enterprises in the first half of this year. Exports to China rose 14.4 percent to $10.48 billion, the largest exporter. Exports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, precision chemical raw materials, and clothing were large. U.S. exports also rose 3.2% to $9.96 billion despite trade threats such as the abolition of tariffs and small duty-free taxes.

[Reporter Seo Jeongwon]