TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s export orders reached US$89.48 billion (NT$2.8 trillion) in May, the second-highest monthly total on record and the highest ever for the month.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs said Tuesday that orders were driven by strong global demand for AI-related technologies. The monthly figure represented a 47.2% increase from a year earlier and marked the 16th consecutive month of growth in export orders, per CNA.
Cumulative export orders for the first five months of the year totaled US$408.83 billion, also a record high for the January-May period and a 49% increase compared with the same period last year. The ministry attributed the strong performance largely to continued growth in emerging technologies and AI-related applications, which boosted demand across Taiwan’s technology sector.
Orders for information and communications products rose 67.2% year-on-year in May, while electronic product orders increased 61.2%, reflecting sustained demand for semiconductors, servers, and other AI-related hardware. The ministry said the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure and digital technologies continues to drive global demand for Taiwanese technology products, helping offset weakness in some traditional sectors.
Orders for optical equipment declined 1.7% from a year earlier. Officials said the decrease was mainly due to continued weakness in flat-panel display orders.
However, stronger demand for optical inspection and measurement equipment used in AI semiconductor production helped limit the decline, partially offsetting weaker panel-related orders, per the report.
The latest figures underscore Taiwan’s growing role in the global AI supply chain, with technology exports continuing to serve as a key driver of economic growth.
