Taiwan Export Orders Growth Below Forecasts

Taiwan’s export orders remained robust in April 2026, rising 48.1% year-on-year to USD 87.4 billion, although the pace of growth eased from March’s exceptionally strong 65.9% increase. The moderation largely reflected softer demand for key technology products, with growth in electronic products slowing to 45.9% from 73.7% and information and communication products easing to 89.7% from 120.9%. Despite the slower pace, momentum remained solid across several sectors. Orders for machinery accelerated to 23.4% from 20.8%, while basic metals and related products rose 4.5% from 2.9%, optical and photographic equipment increased 5.8% from 4.2%, electrical machinery products edged up to 14.1% from 13.6%, and mineral products surged 70.3% from 28.4%. Growth also stayed strong across major markets, with export orders from the US rising 62.6% (vs 76.4%), ASEAN countries 61.7% (vs 94.4%), Mainland China and Hong Kong 29.0% (vs 45.7%), and Europe 21.8% (vs 45.2%).

Orders for Taiwanese exports surged 65.9% year-on-year to an all-time high of USD 91.1 billion in March 2026, easily beating market expectations of 41% growth and accelerating from a 23.8% gain in the previous month. The surge was driven by sustained strong global demand for AI and technology products, which continued to sustain robust momentum. Significant growth was recorded across major categories, including electronic products (73.7% vs 26.2% in February), information and communication products (120.9% vs 55.2%), machinery (20.8% vs 0.3%), and other goods (13% vs 3.3%). Moreover, a notable rebound was seen in basic metals and related articles (2.9% vs -7.1%), optical, photographic, and cinematographic equipment (4.2% vs -13.3%), electrical machinery products (13.6% vs -3.3%), and mineral products (28.4% vs -6.5%). Demand across most destinations surged, led by the US (76.4%), ASEAN countries (94.4%), Mainland China and Hong Kong (45.7%), Europe (45.2%), and Japan (32.9%).

Orders for Taiwanese exports rose 23.8% year-on-year to a six-month low of USD 63.9 billion in February 2026, marking a sharp slowdown from the 60.1% surge recorded in the previous month. Growth in export orders moderated significantly across major categories, including electronic products (26.2% vs 78.6% in January), information and communication products (55.2% vs 102%), machinery (0.3% vs 40.6%), and other goods (3.3% vs 31.7%). In addition, several sectors posted outright declines, notably basic metals and related articles (-7.1% vs 8.8%), optical, photographic, and cinematographic equipment (-13.3% vs 18.6%), and electrical machinery products (-3.3% vs 34.8%). Meanwhile, outbound shipments declined at a softer pace for both transport equipment (-14% vs -55.6%) and mineral products (-6.5% vs -12.2%). By destination, export orders to the US surged 45.1%, followed by ASEAN (33.8%) and Japan (17.8%), while orders fell for Mainland China and Hong Kong (-0.2%) and Europe (-5.6%).