SEOUL: South Korea’s exports are expected to have slowed in March, while consumer inflation likely held at a decade-high as China’s lockdown curbs and the Ukraine crisis weighed on supply chains and added to cost pressures, according to a Reuters poll.

       Outbound shipments in March were seen increasing by 17.5% from a year earlier, according to the median forecast of 23 economists, while imports were expected to rise 27.8%.“We expect headline export growth to continue moderating amid a gradual downturn in global manufacturing,” said Kathleen Oh, Bank of America Securities economist.

       “Demand, especially from the big three trading partners China, United States and Europe, likely weakened on (China) lockdowns and downward pressure on sentiment from the Ukraine crisis.” — Reuters