Asian Tech Press (SEP 01)-- South Korea's August exports rose 34.9 percent year-on-year, accelerating from 29.6 percent growth in July, boosted by strong demand for memory chips, petrochemicals and other major products. Still, the increase was slightly below economists' average estimate of 35.7 percent, according to data released Wednesday by the country's trade ministry.

Exports of semiconductors, petrochemicals and automobiles grew 43%, 81.5% and 16.9%, respectively. Prices for wireless devices, Biocare products and secondary batteries rose 62.2%, 17.1% and 10.9%, respectively.

Exports to China rose 26.8 percent, exports to the U.S. rose 38.1 percent and exports to the EU rose 41.6 percent.

South Korea's Ministry of Trade stated, "Despite concerns about production disruptions due to the spread of the recent Delta variant. However, its impact on exports so far appears to be limited." "With the spread of the global Delta variant virus and the risk of delays in shipping, the Ministry of Trade will make every effort to maintain export momentum in the second half of the year."