South Korea's exports to Japan jumped over 50 percent following the March 11 earthquake, despite concerns that trade could be disrupted due to destroyed factories and infrastructure in the disaster-stricken nation, a local trade agency said Sunday.
During the March 12-29 period, after Japan was hit by the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami, South Korea's exports to the country surged 51.5 percent from the same period a year earlier, according to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).
Exports of oil products grew 301.1 percent over the same period, while those of stainless steel plates and auto parts also jumped 84.1 percent and 48.1 percent, respectively.
Especially, exports of disaster-related foods spiked, the agency said.
Bottled water posted a 785.5 percent jump in exports, while instant noodles registered a 123.3 percent gain, the agency said. Exports of kelp also jumped 406 percent as it is thought to help fight against radiation exposure.
Despite worries over supply disruption of components caused by suspended factory operations in the quake-stricken country, imports from Japan also remained relatively brisk, according to the agency.
During the same period, imports of components and materials from Japan grew 12.4 percent from a year earlier. A survey of 200 small- and medium-sized enterprises also showed that only 7 percent said that their production was hurt by supply disruptions from Japan.