Exports of S. Korean washers show 12 pct increase last year

SEOUL, Feb. 24 (Yonhap) -- While exports of South Korean home appliances
generally decreased last year, exports of washers rose on the back of robust
overseas markets, a government report showed Wednesday.
The report by the Korea Customs Service said exports of washing machines came to
US$648 million in 2009, up 12.3 percent from a year earlier.
The customs office attributed the increase to a growing popularity of various
premium products such as drum washers and large capacity washers and the release
of new machines with a drier function.
During the reported year, the country's exports of overall home appliances
decreased 12 percent from the previous year to $10.43 billion, according to the
customs office.
By items, exports of TVs, refrigerators and video tape recorders were off 10.7
percent, 4.2 percent and 16.9 percent, respectively, to $5.22 billion, $1.78
billion and $362 million.
The country also saw exports of microwave ovens, air conditioners and audio
equipment plunge 36.5 percent, 18.1 percent and 24.6 percent, respectively, to
$113 million, $256 million and $995 million, it said.
The overall decrease in home appliance exports was ascribed to a drop in outbound
shipments to the United States, affected by the economic recession last year,
industry sources said.
Imports of home appliances by South Korea dropped 21.8 percent from a year
earlier to $3.25 billion last year, with audio equipment imports falling 20.1
percent to $979 million.
kimnh@yna.co.kr
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