September exports hit record monthly high, extend growth to 35 months

Taipei, Oct. 8 (CNA) Taiwan's exports hit a monthly record of US$87.22 billion in September, marking 35 consecutive months of year-on-year growth and breaking the previous record of 34 months from November 1985 and August 1988, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said Thursday.

According to preliminary customs statistics released by the MOF, September exports jumped 60.9 percent from a year earlier, an increase of US$33 billion, buoyed by expanding AI and other technology applications, inventory buildup ahead of new consumer electronics launches, and higher product prices.

The September figure surpassed the previous monthly record of US$82.4 billion set in August.

MOF Department of Statistics Director-General Beatrice Tsai (蔡美娜) attributed the record export growth streak to four factors, including robust global investment in technological innovation and AI, which helped offset the impact of geopolitical uncertainties and inflation concerns.

Other factors included rising demand for advanced electronic components driven by emerging AI applications, tight capacity in the electronics supply chain that kept export prices high, and inventory buildup ahead of the launch of new mobile devices and consumer electronics products.

Tsai said Taiwan's exports are entering a "historic and brilliant moment," adding that fourth-quarter exports are highly likely to push annual exports above US$900 billion.

She forecast October exports would range from US$85.2 billion to US$87.7 billion, up 40-44 percent from a year earlier.

Based on a conservative estimate of monthly exports of US$80 billion in the fourth quarter, cumulative exports would exceed US$700 billion, US$800 billion and US$900 billion in October, November and December, respectively, Tsai said.

Information, communication and audio-video products and electronic components remained Taiwan's two main export engines in September.

Exports of information, communication and audio-video products reached US$39.13 billion, roughly double the level a year earlier, while electronic component exports rose 45.3 percent year-on-year to US$31.13 billion. Both categories posted their second-highest monthly export values on record, Tsai said.

She added that AI-related demand has also benefited traditional industries, with non-electronic and non-information and communications products posting a 25.4 percent year-on-year increase in September, the strongest growth in nearly five years excluding Lunar New Year months, signaling a gradual recovery in traditional sectors.

Exports of electrical machinery rose 29.8 percent year-on-year in September and have grown for 26 consecutive months, supported by demand from data center construction, power grid upgrades and equipment replacement, Tsai said.

On the import side, September imports rose 51.7 percent from a year earlier to a record US$63.59 billion, resulting in a monthly trade surplus of US$23.63 billion, up 92.2 percent year-on-year.

In the third quarter, exports totaled US$244.92 billion, up 44.6 percent from a year earlier, while imports rose 44.3 percent to US$181.8 billion, leaving a quarterly trade surplus of US$63.12 billion.

In the first nine months of 2026, exports climbed 46.2 percent year-on-year to US$661.55 billion, while imports increased 41.3 percent to US$501 billion, representing a cumulative trade surplus of US$160.55 billion.