Chile - South Korea Trade 2025 Q2: Resource-for-Tech Surge
Key Market Takeaways: Chile - South Korea Trade
The bilateral trade relationship between Chile and South Korea shows recovering momentum in Q2 2025, marked by volatility and a dominant surplus for Chile.
- Economic Pulse: Chile posted a $837.62M trade surplus ($1.25B exports vs. $412.38M imports), with June rebounds offsetting mid-quarter dips in both flows.
- Exchange Structure: Chile - South Korea trade statistics reveal a resource-for-tech model—Chile supplies ores (43.3% of exports) and copper, while importing vehicles (30.7% of imports) and high-value manufactured goods.
- Strategic Interdependence: Highly complementary economies, with South Korea leveraging Chilean raw materials for industrial production and Chile dependent on Korean advanced manufacturing.
This bilateral trade snapshot is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.
Chile-South Korea Trade Trend in Q2 2025
Chile Export Performance: Shipments to South Korea
- Total Volume: $1.25B in Q2 2025.
- Growth Trend & Context:
- Mixed YoY performance: April saw a slight decline (-1.96%), but June rebounded strongly (+13.89%).
- May’s -18.38% MoM drop was the sharpest contraction, followed by a 21.42% recovery in June.
- Key Volatility: June stood out with both the highest MoM growth (+21.42%) and YoY expansion (+13.89%).
Chile Import Performance: Sourcing from South Korea
- Total Volume: $412.38M in Q2 2025.
- Growth Trend & Context:
- Strong YoY growth in June (+44.14%) offset May’s -5.3% decline.
- April’s 11.49% YoY increase suggests resilient demand early in the quarter.
- Key Volatility: June’s imports surged 56.22% MoM, the highest monthly jump, while May’s -32.66% MoM drop was the steepest.
Chile - South Korea Trade Balance & Market Dynamics
- Net Position: Chile recorded a trade surplus of $837.62M (Exports: $1.25B > Imports: $412.38M).
- Relationship Status: Chile maintains a dominant net exporter role, with exports triple the value of imports. The June rebound in both flows signals recovering bilateral trade momentum.
Chile Import Trend from South Korea 2025 Q2 (Source: yTrade)**
| Month | Value | MoM | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 151.31M | 14.51% | 11.49% |
| May | 101.89M | -32.66% | -5.3% |
| Jun | 159.17M | 56.22% | 44.14% |
| Total | 412.38M | - | - |
Chile Export Trend to South Korea 2025 Q2 (Source: yTrade)**
| Month | Value | MoM | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 445.83M | 26.78% | -1.96% |
| May | 363.88M | -18.38% | -9.63% |
| Jun | 441.83M | 21.42% | 13.89% |
| Total | 1.25B | - | - |
Get Historical Chile South Korea Trade Records
Chile-South Korea Top Trading Products in Q2 2025
Chile Export Profile: What Does Chile Sell to South Korea
- Top Commodity: Rank #1 export is HS 26 (Ores, slag, and ash) at 43.29% of total exports.
- Demand Driver: South Korea uses these raw materials for industrial processing, likely in steel production or electronics manufacturing.
- Concentration: Trade is highly concentrated, with HS 26 and HS 74 (Copper and articles thereof) together accounting for 69.52% of exports.
Chile Import Profile: What Does Chile Buy from South Korea
- Top Commodity: Rank #1 import is HS 87 (Vehicles) at 30.72% of total imports.
- Dependency Nature: Reflects a reliance on South Korea for high-value manufactured goods, particularly automotive products.
Chile - South Korea Trade Relationship Dynamics
- The Exchange Model: Resource-for-Tech Complementarity. Chile exports raw materials (ores, copper) while importing high-tech and manufactured goods (vehicles, machinery).
- Value Chain Position: South Korea holds the higher value-add position, supplying advanced manufactured products, while Chile provides industrial inputs.
Import Analysis by Product: South Korea to Chile (Source: yTrade)
| HS Code | Value | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| 87 | 126.66M | 30.72% |
| 27 | 61.33M | 14.87% |
| 84 | 53.28M | 12.92% |
| 39 | 31.73M | 7.70% |
| 85 | 22.61M | 5.48% |
| 28 | 17.52M | 4.25% |
| 33 | 8.01M | 1.94% |
| 89 | 7.60M | 1.84% |
| 29 | 7.46M | 1.81% |
| 21 | 7.32M | 1.78% |
Export Analysis by Product: Chile to South Korea (Source: yTrade)
| HS Code | Value | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | 541.79M | 43.29% |
| 74 | 328.23M | 26.23% |
| 28 | 116.75M | 9.33% |
| 47 | 48.72M | 3.89% |
| 02 | 45.20M | 3.61% |
| 29 | 42.01M | 3.36% |
| 03 | 39.93M | 3.19% |
| 08 | 24.53M | 1.96% |
| 44 | 21.65M | 1.73% |
| 23 | 15.17M | 1.21% |
Check Detailed Chile-South Korea Trade HS Code Breakdown
Future Outlook & Strategic Recommendations
Forecast
Chile’s trade surplus with South Korea is expected to widen in Q3 2025, driven by sustained demand for industrial inputs like ores and copper. The June rebound in both exports (+13.89% YoY) and imports (+44.14% YoY) signals renewed momentum, though volatility in monthly flows warrants caution. South Korea’s reliance on Chilean raw materials for manufacturing, paired with Chile’s appetite for high-tech imports, will reinforce this complementary exchange. However, exporters should prepare for potential price swings in commodity markets, which could impact margins.
Strategic Moves
- Lock in Long-Term Supply Contracts: Chilean mining firms should negotiate multi-year agreements with South Korean buyers to stabilize revenue streams amid fluctuating ore prices.
- Diversify Export Basket: Reduce reliance on HS 26 and HS 74 by promoting secondary sectors like agriculture (e.g., fresh fruit, wine) to South Korea’s consumer market.
- Optimize Logistics for High-Value Imports: Chilean importers of South Korean vehicles (HS 87) must streamline shipping routes and warehouse efficiency to mitigate delays and cost overruns.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Chile - South Korea trade perform in 2025 Q2?
Chile's exports to South Korea totaled $1.25B, with mixed YoY growth (June rebounded +13.89%), while imports reached $412.38M, surging 56.22% MoM in June.
What are the top exports from Chile to South Korea?
Chile's top exports to South Korea are HS 26 (Ores, slag, and ash) at 43.29% and HS 74 (Copper and articles thereof), together accounting for 69.52% of total exports.
What does Chile import from South Korea?
Chile's top import from South Korea is HS 87 (Vehicles) at 30.72% of total imports, reflecting a reliance on high-value manufactured goods.
What is the trade balance between Chile and South Korea?
Chile recorded a trade surplus of $837.62M, with exports triple the value of imports, signaling a dominant net exporter role.
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