South Korea's exports rose for the fifth straight month in March, with the volume surpassing 50 billion dollars for the first time this year. 

According to data released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Thursday, the country's outbound shipments stood at 53-point-83 billion U.S dollars last month, up 16-point-six percent from a year earlier.

The growth marks the largest on-year gain for any March, with exports posting growth for the fifth consecutive month since November last year. 

Daily average exports also grew by 16-point-six percent. 

Imports rose 18-point-eight percent to 49-point-65 billion dollars, resulting in a trade surplus of four-point-17 billion dollars. The country posted a trade surplus for the eleventh consecutive month.