SEOULcryptoearninggamesios, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's export rose in double digits in the first 20 days of this month due to solid demand for locally-made semiconductors and oil products, customs office data showed Wednesday.

Outbound shipment advanced 18.5 percent from a year earlier to 33.12 billion U.S. dollars in the Aug. 1-20 period, according to Korea Customs Service.

The daily average export climbed 18.5 percent in the 20-day period. The monthly export kept an upward trend for the 10th consecutive month through July.

Import expanded 10.1 percent to 34.59 billion dollars in the 20 days, sending the trade deficit to 1.47 billion dollars.

Semiconductor export soared 42.5 percent to 6.73 billion dollars in the cited period, and oil products shipment rose 11.7 percent to 2.93 billion dollars.

Shipment for steel products and automobiles increased in single digits to 2.29 billion dollars and 2.28 billion dollars each, while those for ships, auto parts and computers jumped in double figures.

Import for crude oil, chips, natural gas, machinery and semiconductor equipment recorded a double-digit increase in the 20-day period.■