Taiwan Exports YoY

Exports from Taiwan surged 51.7% year-on-year to USD 78.5 billion in May 2026, accelerating from 39% in the previous period and comfortably surpassing market expectations of 37.9%. Shipments were broadly strong across key export categories, particularly information, communication and audio-video products (75.2%), electronic product parts (56%), machinery (22.7%), base metals and articles of base metals (1.6%), and electrical machinery products (33.4%). All major trading partners recorded solid gains, including the US (47.9%), Mainland China and Hong Kong (35.4%), ASEAN countries (90.8%), Europe (40.3%), Japan (32.3%), and Korea (43.3%). For the first five months of the year, total exports reached USD 341.8 billion, a 48.7% increase compared to the same period a year earlier.

Exports from Taiwan climbed by 39% year-on-year to USD 67.62 billion in April 2026, slowing sharply from a 61.8% surge and falling well below market expectations of a 55% increase. Still, export growth remained solid, supported by sustained global demand for semiconductors and electronics, which helped offset disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict. By sector, exports continued to be led by information, communication and audio-video products (62.3%), followed by electronic parts (38.9%) and machinery (12.9%). In contrast, shipments of base metals and articles of base metals (-0.4%) and chemicals (-4.3%) declined. All major trading partners saw increased exports, namely the US (63.8%), Mainland China and Hong Kong (15.8%), ASEAN (36.8%), Europe (64.2%), Japan (28.4%), and South Korea (39.3%). For the January–April period, total exports reached USD 263.35 billion, up 47.8% compared with the same period in the previous year.

Exports from Taiwan soared 61.8% year-on-year to an all-time high of USD 80.18 billion in March 2026, comfortably surpassing market expectations of 33.2% and accelerating from 20.6% in the previous month. The solid annual growth was primarily driven by a massive 134.5% surge in shipments of information, communication, and audio-video products, alongside parts of electronic products (44%) and machinery (16.3%). In contrast, shipments declined for both base metals and articles of base metal (-7.4%) and chemicals (-2.7%). Export growth was strongest to the US, where shipments skyrocketed 124% following a recent agreement that reduced US tariffs on many Taiwanese goods from 20% to 15%. Shipments also saw notable growth to Mainland China and Hong Kong (27.4%) and ASEAN (59.8%). Considering the first quarter of the year, total exports reached USD 195.74 billion, 51.1% higher compared to the same period last year.