South Korea posted double digit growth in exports last month to record an all-time high export volume for the month of December.

According to data by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy released Friday, monthly exports rose 12-point-six percent on-year to reach 51-point-four billion dollars. It marks the first time in 25 months since November 2018 that total shipments have surpassed the 50 billion mark.

Daily average exports also jumped nearly eight percent to well over two billion dollars.

Last month's export volume is the sixth largest ever and a new record for the month of December.

Eleven out of South Korea's 15 staple export items increased shipments last month including six related to information technology such as semiconductors and displays.

Imports in December grew one-point-eight percent to over 44 billion dollars, resulting in a trade surplus of six-point-nine billion dollars and to continue a surplus streak for the eighth month.

Exports for the whole of 2020 decreased five-point-four percent and imports more than seven percent from the previous year due to the pandemic.

But with a surplus of 45-point-six billion dollars, Korea has posted a trade surplus for the 12th consecutive year.

The trade ministry said that while annual exports are down, there has been a clear recovery trend since the third quarter.