SEOUL, March 1 Reuters South Korean export growth exceeded market forecasts in February, trade ministry data showed on Friday, expanding for a fifth successive month as a surge in semiconductor demand made up for a decline in vehicle sales.

Exports from Asia39;s fourthlargest economy rose 4.8 from the same month a year earlier to 52.41 billion, beating a gain of 1.9 tipped in a Reuters poll of economists.

While that represented a softening from January39;s onyear surge of 18, February export growth adjusted for workingday differences was 12.5, faster than January39;s 5.7, the data showed.

There were fewer working days in February this year than last because the Lunar New Year holiday period fell in February rather than January.

Robust export growth in holidayadjusted terms showed sales of chips which soared 66.7 and other highvalue products remained robust, strengthening the view that a recovery this year in overseas sales can help prop up overall economic growth.

By destination, shipments to neighbouring China fell 2.4, whereas those to the United States jumped 9.0.

Imports fell 13.1 to 48.1 billion, versus the 10.4 decline seen in the poll.

Reporting by Cynthia Kim; Editing by Christopher Cushing

Source Reuters