February 1, 2026

Export Volume Reaches USD 1.89627 Billion, Down 3.6% from 2024

In 2025, the ripple effects of trade issues stemming from the Trump administration's inauguration, U.S. tariffs, and intensified low-price offensives from China were fully reflected in the year's mold import and export figures.

According to an analysis of 2025 mold import/export performance conducted by the Association based on the international HS (Harmonized System) code classification, total mold exports for the year amounted to USD 1.89627 billion, falling short of the USD 1.9 billion mark. Mold imports reached USD 334.12 million, a 15% increase from 2024, further exacerbating profitability pressures experienced in the previous year.

With global trade environment uncertainties, including tariff risks, expected to persist throughout the current year, a reversal of the sluggish mold export trend appears challenging in the near term.

Compounding this, prolonged domestic demand stagnation and continued investment contraction in key downstream industries suggest that the mold industry's business confidence will likely remain in a contraction phase for the foreseeable future.

Export Decline Observed Across All Mold Categories Except 'Other Molds'

Last year's total mold exports registered USD 1.89627 billion, a 3.6% decrease compared to 2024. Imports totaled USD 334.12 million, marking a 15% increase, resulting in a mold trade surplus of USD 1.56186 billion.

Examining performance by product category:

• Plastic Molds, which account for the largest share, recorded exports of USD 973.76 million, a 3.3% decrease from USD 1.00648 billion in 2024.
• Press Molds saw exports reach USD 695.41 million, reflecting a significant 7.2% year-on-year decline from USD 749.58 million in 2024.
• Die Casting Molds exports also contracted to USD 114.20 million, down approximately 1.4% from USD 94.17 million in 2024.
• Conversely, the 'Other Molds' category was the sole segment to exhibit growth, with exports surging 19.9% to USD 112.89 million, compared to USD 0.094 million (Translator's Note: The 2024 figure appears anomalous; based on context, it may intended to represent USD 94.17 million or a similar magnitude).

Amidst Downturn Driven by U.S. Tariffs, Exports to India Show Remarkable Growth

Analysis of export trends by destination reveals that as the impact of U.S. tariff policies intensified in 2025, exports to North America contracted sharply. In contrast, the Indian market demonstrated notable growth. Regions like the U.S. and Mexico, which drove mold exports in 2024, entered a phase of rapid adjustment in 2025, leading to significant shifts in the export landscape.

Key developments include:

• Exports to India reached USD 346.72 million in 2025, a substantial 33.4% increase year-on-year, elevating India to the position of the largest export destination.
• Expanding investments in local manufacturing sectors, particularly automotive, are positioning India as a core market for Korean molds.
• Conversely, exports to the United States plummeted by 41% to USD 250.82 million. The U.S., which was the top export market in 2024 with exports exceeding USD 400 million, saw its import volume from Korea shrink considerably due to tariff burdens and investment contraction.
• Exports to Mexico also fell sharply by 34.7% to USD 227.32 million, mirroring the overall sluggish trend across North America.
• This adjustment phase in the North American market signals a shift away from the structure heavily centered on the U.S. and Mexico, which collectively accounted for approximately 39% of total mold exports in 2024.
• Elsewhere, exports to Vietnam totaled USD 200.76 million, a relatively modest decline of 0.6% year-on-year. Exports to Japan continued their medium-to-long-term downward trajectory, decreasing by 11.2% to USD 184.03 million.

Challenges Emerge for Domestic Mold Industry Amid Rising Imports from China and Tariff Risks

The 2025 mold import/export performance reflects the complex interplay of multiple external environmental changes, including the U.S. tariff policy stance, competitive pressure from low-priced Chinese molds, and the global economic slowdown.

As initially anticipated, the export decline was most pronounced in the U.S. and Mexico. However, increased exports to countries like India partially cushioned the overall downturn. Concurrently, a rapid growth in mold exports to emerging Central and Eastern European nations, such as Slovakia and the Czech Republic, was observed. This suggests a potential diversification of demand away from traditional major markets and can be interpreted as a signal for moving beyond the current structure of high dependence on specific markets.

Nevertheless, significant challenges persist. Ongoing tariff risks and intensified price competition stemming from increased imports of Chinese molds continue to weigh on profitability, making a swift recovery in exports unlikely in the short term.

Consequently, the industry is called upon to adopt a strategic approach. This involves simultaneously strengthening capabilities to navigate evolving tariff and trade environments, actively exploring emerging markets, and driving a structural shift in exports towards high-value-added molds.