Ores, slag and ash: South Korea exports to Japan
HS chapter 26 · 광(鑛)ㆍ슬래그(slag)ㆍ회(灰) · latest month: October 2026
In October 2026, South Korea exported $19.2 million of ores, slag and ash (HS 26) to Japan, up 23.8% from September 2026 and up 42.3% from October 2025.
Over the 12 months to October 2026, exports of ores, slag and ash (HS 26) to Japan totalled $191.9 million, up 36.5% from the 12 months before ($140.6 million).
Japan took 26.2% of South Korea's exports of this product over the 12 months to October 2026, ranking 2nd of 26 destinations.
This product made up 0.6% of South Korea's goods exports to Japan over the same period.
The average export value in October 2026 was $5.28 per kg of net weight, compared with $15.99 per kg in October 2025.
Imports from Japan in October 2026 were $3.8 million (up 105.4% from October 2025), leaving a surplus of $15.3 million for the month.
Last 24 months
Monthly figures
| Month | Exports | vs year earlier | Export weight | Export $/kg | Imports | Import weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | $19.2M | +42.3% | 3,637 t | $5.28 | $3.8M | 17,519 t |
| September 2026 | $15.5M | +10.7% | 9,284 t | $1.67 | $3.2M | 24,235 t |
| August 2026 | $26.2M | +300.7% | 20,792 t | $1.26 | $4.4M | 22,250 t |
| July 2026 | $20.3M | +57.1% | 25,983 t | $0.78 | $6.8M | 32,509 t |
| June 2026 | $21.9M | +84.6% | 9,258 t | $2.37 | $5.5M | 26,366 t |
| May 2026 | $17.0M | +49.8% | 6,885 t | $2.47 | $3.6M | 27,221 t |
| April 2026 | $11.4M | +4.8% | 5,153 t | $2.22 | $2.9M | 21,474 t |
| March 2026 | $9.8M | -1.9% | 504 t | $19.48 | $2.3M | 17,081 t |
| February 2026 | $8.6M | -12.4% | 4,687 t | $1.84 | $4.1M | 25,951 t |
| January 2026 | $15.1M | +12.7% | 4,574 t | $3.29 | $1.8M | 23,570 t |
| December 2025 | $10.6M | -42.0% | 2,043 t | $5.18 | $2.9M | 26,278 t |
| November 2025 | $16.2M | +101.4% | 9,933 t | $1.63 | $1.5M | 19,085 t |
| October 2025 | $13.5M | +41.2% | 843 t | $15.99 | $1.9M | 18,875 t |
| September 2025 | $14.0M | +76.7% | 1,590 t | $8.81 | $2.1M | 15,238 t |
| August 2025 | $6.5M | -25.1% | 3,019 t | $2.17 | $2.3M | 25,583 t |
| July 2025 | $12.9M | -29.6% | 3,655 t | $3.53 | $3.0M | 20,485 t |
| June 2025 | $11.9M | -9.2% | 5,094 t | $2.33 | $2.3M | 12,134 t |
| May 2025 | $11.4M | +3.6% | 12,087 t | $0.94 | $1.8M | 29,525 t |
| April 2025 | $10.9M | +46.6% | 2,081 t | $5.25 | $1.7M | 12,616 t |
| March 2025 | $10.0M | +56.7% | 7,515 t | $1.33 | $1.4M | 20,072 t |
| February 2025 | $9.9M | +81.8% | 9,694 t | $1.02 | $1.7M | 14,281 t |
| January 2025 | $13.4M | +243.1% | 3,625 t | $3.69 | $1.4M | 25,507 t |
| December 2024 | $18.2M | +74.4% | 9,448 t | $1.93 | $2.1M | 36,459 t |
| November 2024 | $8.1M | +10.1% | 3,502 t | $2.30 | $1.7M | 32,891 t |
Exports FOB, imports CIF, US dollars. Weight is net weight. "vs year earlier" compares export value with the same month one year before and is left blank when that month was under $10,000. Source: Korea Customs Service, via data.go.kr.
Largest headings exported to Japan
| Code | Product | Exports, 12 months | Share | vs 12 months before | October 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2613 | Molybdenum ores and concentrates | $117.8M | 61.4% | +14.2% | $16.2M |
| 2620 | Slag, ash and residues containing metals, arsenic or their compounds, etc. | $60.8M | 31.7% | +99.5% | $2.3M |
| 2608 | Zinc ores and concentrates | $6.5M | 3.4% | +233.2% | $224K |
| 2619 | Slag, dross, scalings and other waste from the manufacture of iron or steel, etc. | $5.8M | 3.0% | +60.9% | $488K |
| 2614 | Titanium ores and concentrates | $623K | 0.3% | +26.6% | $0 |
| 2601 | Iron ores and concentrates | $223K | 0.1% | – | $0 |
| 2618 | Granulated slag from the manufacture of iron or steel, etc. | $124K | 0.1% | +92.6% | $259 |
| 2607 | Lead ores and concentrates | $17K | 0.0% | – | $0 |
| 2604 | Nickel ores and concentrates | $180 | 0.0% | -99.7% | $0 |
See also: Ores, slag and ash to all countries · all exports to Japan