* First major economy to report April trade data
* April exports +9.0 pct y/y (Reuters poll: +7.5 pct)
* Export growth at 15-mth high, led by sales to U.S.
* Demand from China softens, remains a worry (Updates with new details, new analyst)
By Christine Kim and Choonsik Yoo
SEOUL, May 1 (Reuters) - South Korean exports grew the most in 15 months in April as demand from the United States firmed, reinforcing recent signs that a recovery in global consumption was gathering pace although China remained a worry.
South Korea is the world's seventh-largest exporter and the first major economy to report trade figures each month, providing an early glimpse into the health of global demand for products ranging from smartphones and TVs to cars and ships.
Data from the trade ministry on Thursday showed exports from Asia's fourth-largest economy grew 9.0 percent in April from a year earlier to $50.32 billion while imports rose 5.0 percent to $45.85 billion, easily topping expectations.
Export growth was the strongest since a 10.9 percent annual rise in January 2013, with shipments to the United States up a sharp 19.3 percent on-year, suggesting South Korea's second-biggest market is set for a rebound despite a shockingly weak first quarter GDP report
"U.S. GDP growth in the first quarter was a shock but exports to the U.S. will be firm as second-quarter growth is expected to be good based on the consensus views," said Park Sang-hyun, chief economist at HI Investment & Securities.
Thursday's strong trade data boosted the trade surplus to $4.46 billion from $4.17 billion in March, the 27th consecutive month the accounts have been in the black.
The shipments support recent evidence suggesting that Asia's export-reliant economies are beginning to benefit from a recovery in advanced countries, led by the U.S, boding well for global heavyweights such as South Korea's Samsung Electronics and car maker Hyundai Motor Co.
March shipments from Taiwan, a bellwether for global growth and tech demand, also showed a surge to both the United States and Europe.
Separate government data released on Thursday showed South Korea's annual consumer price inflation sped up to an eight-month high in April, underscoring a broadening recovery in the economy.
CHINA CAUTION
Still, analysts noted that a slowdown in China, South Korea's biggest export market, poses some uncertainty.
"It's (April trade) good for the growth outlook but markets will be cautious on the sustainability (of exports) because of China," said Ronald Man, economist at HSBC based in Hong Kong.