33 import commodity groups each posts over US$1 billion in revenue

The highest grossing group included computers, electronic products and components valuing at US$37.71 billion, a year-on-year increase of 35.2%.

The Republic of Korea (RoK) is the largest exporter with an export turnover of US$15.33 billion, up 76.7% against the previous year. It is followed by China (US$7.06 billion, up 19%), and Taiwan (US$3.94 billion, up 24.6%).

Imported machinery, equipment and spare parts are in the second group which earned US$33.67 billion, up 18% compared to the previous year. China took the lead with a value of US$10.87 billion, up 16.8%, followed by the RoK (US$8.63 billion, up 46.6%), and Japan (US$4.26 billion, up 2.2%).

Mobile phone and components ranked third with an import turnover of US$16.34 billion, a year-on-year increase of 54.8%. China and the RoK remained the largest exporters.

Other import commodities with a value of more than US$1 billion included iron and steel (US$9.01 billion), plastic materials (US$7.32 billion), raw materials for the textile and footwear industries (US$5.42 billion), petrol and oil (US$7.04 billion), base metal (US$5.43 billion), and plastic product (US$5.38 billion).