Taiwan’s export orders surged to a record USD 97.9 billion in July, jumping 61.9 percent year-on-year as insatiable global demand for artificial intelligence hardware extended the island’s remarkable export streak to 18 consecutive months of growth.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs said the July figure exceeded its own forecast of 54.5 to 57.8 percent growth and blew past market consensus of 45.1 percent, making it the third straight month of accelerating gains after June’s 59.4 percent and May’s 47.2 percent increases.
AI Supply Chain Drives Record Numbers
Information and communication technology products led the charge, with orders soaring 89.5 percent from a year earlier to USD 33.27 billion. Electronic products rose 71.7 percent to USD 41.32 billion, while machinery orders jumped 31.3 percent as global semiconductor firms expanded production capacity. Basic metals orders climbed 24.3 percent, driven by demand for copper-clad laminates used in AI server infrastructure and rising copper and steel prices.
Only optical, photographic and cinematographic equipment contracted, dropping 10.6 percent as display panel demand remained weak, though this was partially offset by strong orders for optical inspection and measurement equipment used in chip manufacturing.
US and ASEAN Orders Break Records
| Destination | July YoY Growth | July Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| United States | +88.9% | $40.79B |
| ASEAN | +61.1% | $16.51B |
| China and Hong Kong | +47.2% | $17.02B |
| Europe | +33.1% | $10.44B |
| Japan | +37.1% | N/A |
Orders from the United States posted the largest annual increase on record at 88.9 percent, reaching USD 40.79 billion and underscoring the centrality of Taiwan’s technology sector to the US AI buildout. ASEAN orders surged 61.1 percent, reflecting the region’s growing role in electronics assembly and data center construction.
Huang Wei-jie, head of the ministry’s statistics department, said server orders and AI supply chain cooling products performed better than expected, pushing the monthly total to an all-time high. The cumulative total for January through July reached USD 602.03 billion, up 52.5 percent from the same period last year.
The ministry forecasts August orders at USD 97 to 99 billion, representing year-on-year growth of 61.4 to 64.8 percent, as the peak season for consumer electronics begins. If smartphone orders improve, the figure could exceed USD 100 billion in September.
The data reinforces Taiwan’s position as the linchpin of the global AI supply chain, with demand from hyperscale data center operators and chip designers continuing to outstrip even the most optimistic projections. The streak of 18 consecutive months of growth is the longest on record.
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