May Export Orders Reach $89.48 Billion, Second-Highest Monthly Record, Up 47% Year-on-Year for 16th Consecutive Month

According to a report by Central News Agency, fueled by surging artificial intelligence (AI) demand, Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs announced that May's export orders reached $89.48 billion. This marks the highest figure for the month of May in history and the second-highest monthly total ever recorded, representing a 47.2% year-on-year increase and the 16th consecutive month of growth. Cumulative export orders from January to May totaled $408.83 billion, up 49% year-on-year, setting a new record for the same period.

By product category, emerging technology applications driven by the AI wave have sustained robust business momentum. Orders for information and communications products surged 67.2% year-on-year in May, while electronic products rose 61.2%. In contrast, orders for optical equipment declined 1.7% year-on-year, as panel order momentum remained weak. However, demand for optical inspection and measurement equipment, boosted by AI semiconductor needs, partially offset the decline.