Taiwan Export Orders Hit Record High

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%).

Orders for Taiwanese exports soared by 60.1% year-on-year to a new record peak of USD 76.9 billion in January 2026, exceeding market expectations of a 50.9% surge and accelerating from a 43.6% gain in December. The increase was largely driven by stronger growth in electronic products (78.6% vs 39.9% in December), information and communication products (102% vs 88.1%), machineries (40.6% vs 17.2%), and electrical machinery products (34.8% vs 11.6%). Moreover, export orders rebounded for chemicals (10.4% vs -0.4%), plastics and articles thereof, rubber and articles thereof (13.9% vs -8.2%), textile products (7.3% vs -13.5%), and basic metals and articles thereof (8.8% vs -2.5%). In contrast, export orders continued to fall sharply for transport equipment (-55.6% vs -2%), and slipped for mineral products (-12.2% vs 22.2%). By destination, export orders to the US soared 64.3%, while shipments to Europe jumped 56.1%, and orders to Mainland China and Hong Kong climbed 58.9%.