TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s export orders hit a record NT$16.3 trillion (US$504.1 billion) in the first half of the year, a 50.9% increase from a year earlier, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said Tuesday.
The ministry said June export orders surged 59.4% from a year earlier to a record NT$3.08 trillion, while second-quarter orders reached a record NT$8.8 trillion, UDN reported.
AI-related demand drove strong orders for technology products, the ministry said. In June, orders for information and communications technology products jumped 81.9% from a year earlier, while electronic product orders rose 79.9%, per CNA.
AI supply chain demand also supported traditional industries, with June orders for machinery, basic metals, chemicals, and plastic and rubber products increasing 17.6%, 16.5%, 3.4%, and 1.8%, respectively, from a year earlier.
Optical equipment orders declined 3.3% in June due to weaker demand for panel inventory buildup. However, overall export orders remained supported by continued investment in AI infrastructure and related applications.
The US remained the largest source of orders, with June orders totaling NT$1.25 trillion, up 83.6% from a year earlier, driven mainly by increases in ICT and electronic products, per Anue. China was second with NT$551.56 billion in orders, up 37.2%.
The ministry forecast July export orders at between NT$3.02 trillion and NT$3.09 trillion, representing annual growth of 54.5% to 57.8%.
