Introduction (August 2025)
This article is part of a monthly series tailored for equity investors, analysts, and sector observers tracking South Korea’s export performance in semiconductors and IT products. As a global supply chain hub, Korea’s export trends often act as leading indicators of stock movements in major players such as Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, and a wide range of fabless, materials, and equipment firms.
Each month, we provide a breakdown of export data across key product categories—including DRAM, NAND flash, system semiconductors (Logic & Other ICs), semiconductor equipment, silicon components, smartphones, and display panels—to highlight developments that matter to the market.
In August 2025, DRAM exports accelerated further with robust double-digit gains, underscoring strong demand from servers and AI applications. NAND showed a sharp monthly rebound, but its 12-month trend remains in decline. System semiconductors held steady on an annual basis, supported by automotive and industrial demand, despite softer monthly results. Equipment shipments slumped after a strong July, highlighting cyclical volatility, while silicon components maintained stable growth. Smartphones rebounded on new model launches, whereas LED-focused display exports posted short-term gains but remain structurally weak.
These dynamics highlight a widening divergence between growth segments (memory, automotive semiconductors, advanced materials) and legacy products (NAND, traditional displays)—a trend with meaningful implications for stock selection heading into the second half of 2025.
Table of Contents
1. Summary of August Export (Preliminary)
2. Detailed Export by Category
- DRAM
- NAND Flash
- Logic & Other ICs (System semiconductors)
- Chip Equipment
- Silicon Components
- Smartphones
- Display Panels
3. Aug 2025 Summary & Key Insights
Summary of August Export (Preliminary)
|
Category |
Type |
Aug 2025 |
Jul 2025 |
Aug 2024 |
YoY (%) |
MoM (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DRAM | Monthly | 2,616 | 2,388 | 1,840 | +42.2 | +9.6 |
| 12M** | 24,990 | 24,214 | 18,731 | +33.4 | +3.2 | |
| NAND | Monthly | 645 | 469 | 388 | +66.4 | +37.7 |
| 12M | 6,014 | 5,756 | 7,942 | -24.3 | +4.5 | |
| Logic & Other ICs | Monthly | 4,081 | 4,694 | 4,066 | +0.4 | -13.1 |
| 12M | 48,632 | 48,616 | 46,444 | +4.7 | 0.0 | |
| Chip Equipment | Monthly | 301 | 532 | 285 | +5.6 | -43.5 |
| 12M | 4,337 | 4,321 | 3,566 | +21.6 | +0.4 | |
| Silicon Components | Monthly | 364 | 371 | 300 | +21.2 | -1.8 |
| 12M | 3,944 | 3,880 | 3,437 | +14.8 | +1.6 | |
| Smartphones | Monthly | 338 | 272 | 323 | +4.6 | +24.4 |
| 12M | 3,529 | 3,514 | 3,114 | +13.3 | +0.4 | |
| Display Panels | Monthly | 1,214 | 1,010 | 1,280 | -5.2 | +20.2 |
| 12M | 11,573 | 11,639 | 13,307 | -13.0 | -0.6 |
Source of data: https://www.bandtrass.or.kr
DRAM
- Monthly exports reached USD 2.6B (+42.2% YoY, +9.6% MoM), confirming strong momentum from server demand.
- 12M cumulative exports rose to USD 25.0B (+33.4% YoY), underscoring a solid mid-term uptrend.
| Aug 2025 (Prelim) |
Export Value (M USD) |
YoY (%) |
MoM (%) |
Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | 2,616 | +42.2 | +9.6 | |
| 12M Cumulative | 24,990 | +33.4 | +3.2 |
Related Stocks
- Samsung Electronics (KRX: 005930), SK hynix (KRX: 000660)
NAND Flash
- Monthly exports posted USD 645M (+66.4% YoY, +37.7% MoM), signaling a sharp rebound in demand.
- 12M cumulative totaled USD 6.0B (-24.3% YoY), showing that recovery is still at an early stage.
| Aug 2025 (Prelim) |
Export Value (M USD) |
YoY (%) |
MoM (%) |
Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | 645 | +66.4 | +37.7 | |
| 12M Cumulative | 6,014 | -24.3 | +4.5 |
Related Stocks
- Samsung Electronics (KRX: 005930), SK hynix (KRX: 000660)
Logic & Other ICs (System semiconductors)
- Monthly exports stood at USD 4.1B (+0.4% YoY, -13.1% MoM), reflecting near-term softness.
- 12M cumulative reached USD 48.6B (+4.7% YoY), supported by steady growth in automotive and industrial semiconductors.
| Aug 2025 (Prelim) |
Export Value (M USD) |
YoY (%) |
MoM (%) |
Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | 4,081 | +0.4 | -13.1 | |
| 12M Cumulative | 48,632 | +4.7 | 0.0 |
Related Stocks
- Samsung Electronics (KRX: 005930)
Chip Equipment
- Monthly exports were USD 301M (+5.6% YoY, -43.5% MoM), hit by cyclical investment swings.
- 12M cumulative recorded USD 4.3B (+21.6% YoY), highlighting structural growth in capex demand.
| Aug 2025 (Prelim) |
Export Value (M USD) |
YoY (%) |
MoM (%) |
Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | 301 | +5.6 | -43.5 | |
| 12M Cumulative | 4,337 | +21.6 | +0.4 |
Related Stocks
- Hanmi Semiconductor (KOSDAQ: 042700), Jusung Engineering (KOSDAQ: 036930), Wonik IPS (KOSDAQ: 240810), and Eugene Technology (KOSDAQ: 084370)
Silicon Components
- Monthly shipments reached USD 364M (+21.2% YoY, -1.8% MoM), sustaining resilient demand.
- 12M cumulative exports rose to USD 3.9B (+14.8% YoY), showing a steady mid-term uptrend.
| Aug 2025 (Prelim) |
Export Value (M USD) |
YoY (%) |
MoM (%) |
Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | 364 | +21.2 | -1.8 | |
| 12M Cumulative | 3,944 | +14.8 | +1.6 |
Related Stocks
- TCK (Tokai Carbon Korea Co., Ltd.; KOSDAQ: 064760), Hana Materials Co., Ltd. (KOSDAQ: 166090), and Woldex Co., Ltd. (KOSDAQ: 101160).
Smartphones
- Monthly exports posted USD 338M (+4.6% YoY, +24.4% MoM), supported by new model launches.
- 12M cumulative totaled USD 3.5B (+13.3% YoY), confirming gradual recovery momentum.
| Aug 2025 (Prelim) |
Export Value (M USD) |
YoY (%) |
MoM (%) |
Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | 338 | +4.6 | +24.4 | |
| 12M Cumulative | 3,529 | +13.3 | +0.4 |
Related Stocks
- Samsung Electronics (KRX: 005930), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (KRX: 009150)
Display Panels
- Monthly exports recorded USD 1.21B (-5.2% YoY, +20.2% MoM), showing short-term rebound in LED demand.
- 12M cumulative exports reached USD 11.6B (-13.0% YoY), highlighting structural weakness in traditional LED applications despite seasonal upticks.
| Aug 2025 (Prelim) |
Export Value (M USD) |
YoY (%) |
MoM (%) |
Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | 1,214 | -5.2 | +20.2 | |
| 12M Cumulative | 11,573 | -13.0 | -0.6 |
Related Stocks
- LG Display (KRX: 034220), LX Semicon (KOSDAQ: 108320)
August Summary & Key Insights
1) Memory led the rebound, with DRAM driving overall momentum
- DRAM exports surged further on strong server and AI demand, maintaining double-digit YoY and MoM growth.
- NAND, while showing a short-term rebound, remains structurally weak on a 12M basis due to pricing pressure.
2) Semiconductor equipment and materials showed cyclical volatility
- Chip equipment exports declined sharply MoM after a strong July, reflecting investment cycle fluctuations.
- Silicon components and advanced materials continued steady 12M growth, supported by demand for advanced process nodes.
3) Logic ICs highlight resilience in automotive and industrial demand
- Monthly exports softened, but 12M cumulative stayed positive, underpinned by steady growth in automotive semiconductors and industrial applications.
- This divergence underscores the shift from consumer electronics to auto/industrial drivers.
4) Mixed performance in downstream industries (smartphones and displays)
- Smartphone exports rebounded MoM on new model launches, showing early signs of recovery.
- Display exports (LED-focused) posted short-term gains but remain in structural decline on a 12M basis.
5) Strategic watchpoints heading into H2 2025
- Memory pricing trajectory (DRAM strength vs. NAND recovery pace)
- Global investment cycle and equipment demand volatility
- Automotive semiconductor demand sustainability
- US-China trade tensions and tech supply chain re-shaping
App. HS Codes Used for Export Statistics by Product Category
- DRAM: 8542.32.1010
- NAND Flash: 8542.32.1030
- System Semiconductors: 8542.31, 8542.33, 8542.39
- Semiconductor Equipment: 8486.10, 8486.20, 8486.40
- Silicon Components: 8486.90
- Smartphones: 8517.13.0000
- LED Displays: 8524.12
Disclaimer:
The content of this post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Any investment decisions made based on this content are at the reader’s own risk, and the author assumes no responsibility for any resulting losses.
