South Korea biopharmaceutical exports hit $4.5 bn in H1 2025, record pace
Synopsis
South Korea's biopharma sector is on course for a record-breaking year, with $4.5 billion in exports logged in just the first six months of 2025 — a 15.3% jump year-on-year. With recombinant protein drugs leading the charge and France entering the top-10 markets for the first time, Seoul's biotech ambitions are finding new ground far beyond Asia.
Key Takeaways
South Korea's biopharmaceutical exports reached $4.5 billion in H1 2025 , up 15.3 percent year-on-year.
Biopharma accounted for 86.5 percent of total pharmaceutical exports of $5.2 billion in the same period.
Full-year exports are on track to surpass the previous record of $7.6 billion set in 2025 (full year).
Switzerland was the top destination at $770 million , followed by the US at $610 million and Hungary at $600 million .
France entered the top-10 export markets for the first time, with shipments of $160 million .
Recombinant protein drugs led by product type at $3.97 billion .
South Korea's biopharmaceutical exports reached an estimated $4.5 billion in the first half of 2025, marking a 15.3 percent year-on-year rise and putting the sector on course for its highest full-year export total on record, according to data released by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on 8 July. The figure accounts for 86.5 percent of all pharmaceutical exports, which totalled $5.2 billion in the same period.
A Sector on a Record-Breaking Trajectory
Biopharmaceutical exports have climbed steadily from $4.9 billion in 2023 to $7.6 billion in 2025, according to ministry data. Should the current momentum hold through the second half, the full-year figure is expected to surpass all previous records. The ministry indicated it is actively working to sustain this trajectory through regulatory reforms, information-sharing initiatives, and trade negotiations with key importing nations.
Top Export Destinations
South Korean biopharmaceuticals reached 163 countries as of June 2025. Switzerland led all destinations with inbound shipments worth $770 million, followed by the United States at $610 million and Hungary at $600 million. Notably, France entered the top-10 export markets for the first time in the first half, recording outbound shipments of $160 million — a signal of expanding European demand for Korean biotech products.
Product Breakdown
By product category, recombinant protein drugs dominated exports at $3.97 billion, underscoring South Korea's growing strength in biologics manufacturing. Toxins and antitoxins followed at $280 million, with vaccines contributing $120 million. The product mix reflects a maturing export base that has moved well beyond generic pharmaceuticals.
KOSPI Slides Amid Global AI Reassessment
Separately, Seoul equities came under pressure on the same day, with the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) trading down 151.89 points, or 1.98 percent, at 7,504.42 as of 11:20 am local time, after opening 2.7 percent lower. Institutional buying helped pare earlier losses, with institutions purchasing a net 1.02 trillion won (approximately $674 million) worth of stocks. Foreigners and individual investors sold a net 467.27 billion won and 561.48 billion won, respectively. The decline tracked overnight losses on Wall Street, where the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.25 percent and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.16 percent, as investors reassessed the next phase of the global artificial intelligence (AI) trade.
What Comes Next
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has pledged to sustain export momentum in the second half of 2025 through regulatory innovation and active engagement with major import markets. With France's debut in the top-10 and Switzerland holding the top spot, diversification across European markets appears to be a growing theme in South Korea's biopharma export story.
Point of View
Particularly from Indian and Chinese manufacturers who are aggressively expanding their own export footprints. Regulatory innovation alone will not be enough; pricing competitiveness and clinical-data credibility in Western markets will be the true differentiators in the second half.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did South Korea export in biopharmaceuticals in H1 2025?
South Korea's biopharmaceutical exports reached an estimated $4.5 billion in the first half of 2025, a 15.3 percent increase year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. This figure represents 86.5 percent of all pharmaceutical exports in the same period.
Is South Korea on track for a biopharma export record in 2025?
Yes, according to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. With $4.5 billion already recorded in the first six months, and exports having grown from $4.9 billion in 2023 to $7.6 billion in 2025 (full year), the ministry expects the full-year 2025 figure to set a new record if current trends hold.
Which countries import the most South Korean biopharmaceuticals?
As of June 2025, Switzerland led with $770 million in imports, followed by the United States at $610 million and Hungary at $600 million. France entered the top-10 list for the first time, recording $160 million in imports.
What types of biopharmaceutical products does South Korea export?
Recombinant protein drugs are the dominant export product at $3.97 billion, followed by toxins and antitoxins at $280 million and vaccines at $120 million, based on first-half 2025 data.
What is South Korea doing to sustain biopharma export growth?
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has said it will pursue regulatory innovation, information sharing, and active trade negotiations with major importing countries to sustain export momentum through the second half of 2025.
