Seoul: Exports of South Korea's small and midsized enterprises (SMEs) hit an all-time high last year, driven by strong sales of used cars and cosmetic products, government data showed Wednesday. SMEs exported US$118.6 billion worth of products in 2025, up 6.9 percent from a year earlier, marking the largest annual figure on record.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the number of exporting SMEs also reached a record high of 98,219 last year. Exports of cars surged 76.3 percent on-year to $9 billion due to robust demand for Korean used cars from the Commonwealth of Independent States, or former Soviet Union countries, and the Middle East.
Cosmetics exports increased 21.5 percent to a record $8.3 billion as Korean-made skin care and beauty products gained popularity across the world. By country, China was the biggest buyer of South Korean SME products, with imports totaling $18.9 billion, up 5.5 percent from a year earlier.
Exports to the United States edged down 0.6 percent to $18.3 billion due to tariffs.