Strong AI Demand: MOEA Expects Monthly Export Orders to Hit US$80 Billion by Year-End
Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) announced on the 20th that April export orders reached US$87.45 billion, a 48.1% year-on-year increase and a record high for the month. This robust growth is primarily fueled by surging demand for servers and networking equipment due to the ongoing AI boom. Huang Wei-chieh, Director of the Department of Statistics, expressed optimism, stating that with the AI trend and new products launching in the second half of the year, there is a 'quite high' probability that monthly orders will reach US$80 billion by the end of the year.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 20, 2026 at 19:25
- 🔍 Collected: May 20, 2026 at 19:32 (6 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 20, 2026 at 20:05 (33 min after Collected)
The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) announced today that April's export orders reached US$87.45 billion, a record high for the same month and the second-highest single-month figure, marking a 48.1% year-on-year increase. Huang Wei-chieh, Director of the Department of Statistics, stated that thanks to the continued boom in AI business opportunities and the upcoming launch of new consumer electronics and next-generation servers in the second half of the year, it is estimated that by the end of this year, 'the probability of reaching US$80 billion in monthly export orders is quite high.'
April's export orders amounted to US$87.45 billion, and the cumulative export orders for the first four months of this year reached US$319.36 billion, setting a new record for the same period and representing a 49.5% year-on-year increase.
Observing the performance of major product categories, information and communication products and electronic products remain the two main drivers of order growth. In April, information and communication products reached US$31.46 billion, an 89.7% year-on-year increase, mainly due to strong demand for AI applications and cloud data services, which boosted orders for servers and networking products. The largest increase came from the United States, with an US$8.1 billion rise.
Electronic products reached US$35.94 billion, a 45.9% year-on-year increase, primarily benefiting from continued growth in demand for chip distribution channels, memory, and IC manufacturing. The largest increases were from the United States (up US$4.31 billion) and Mainland China and Hong Kong (up US$3.17 billion).
In terms of traditional goods, machinery product orders grew by 23.4% year-on-year, mainly because semiconductor manufacturers are actively expanding production capacity to meet the demands of emerging technologies, which in turn has increased demand for semiconductor and automation equipment. Plastic and rubber products saw an 8.2% year-on-year increase as rising international oil prices pushed up product prices. Basic metal products grew by 4.5%, and chemical products increased by 0.5%.
Huang Wei-chieh stated that traditional industries have returned to positive growth for two consecutive months. This is partly due to the AI supply chain driving demand for chemicals and metals used in electronics, as well as rush orders and stockpiling during the period of heightened geopolitical risk in March, and price increase factors.
However, he also pointed out that orders for traditional industries in April declined compared to March, indicating that the effect of earlier rush orders is gradually easing, and some manufacturers are no longer placing orders as aggressively as they did in March. Nevertheless, when viewed from a year-on-year perspective, price factors and AI supply chain demand continue to drive the growth of traditional industries.
Looking at major order regions, the United States remains the largest source of orders, with US$32.92 billion in April, a 62.6% year-on-year increase. ASEAN followed with US$17.9 billion (up 61.7%), Mainland China and Hong Kong with US$15.27 billion (up 29%), and Europe with US$9.71 billion (up 21.8%).
Regarding the rebound in orders from Mainland China and Hong Kong, Huang Wei-chieh analyzed that Mainland China's continuous policy support for domestic demand and investment has led to a recovery in economic activity, which has also benefited some of Taiwan's traditional industry orders. Furthermore, demand for general-purpose servers has been gradually increasing in orders for ICT products from Mainland China this year.
He further added that China's recent supply-side policy adjustments, such as reducing exports of crude iron and steel, have eased low-price competition pressure on Taiwan in the international market, leading to a more stable overall order environment. There has also been a rebound in orders for IC design, automation equipment, and basic metal products like copper foil.
The Department of Statistics pointed out that the cumulative total of export orders for the first four months of this year, as well as orders for information and communication products, electronic products, and orders from the United States and ASEAN, all set record highs for the same period. Orders from Mainland China and Hong Kong were the second-highest for the same period.
Looking ahead, the department stated that while geopolitical risks and international trade barriers continue to constrain global economic growth, the business opportunities from emerging technology applications continue to expand. Active investment in AI infrastructure by various countries will help support the order momentum for Taiwan's advanced semiconductor processes and server supply chain. Huang Wei-chieh pointed out that the AI trend continues to grow strongly, and the AI supply chain will continue to buffer the conflicts and impacts brought by geopolitics to Taiwan.
The Department of Statistics forecasts that May's export orders will be between US$89 billion and US$91 billion, a year-on-year increase of 46.4% to 49.7%. The cumulative orders for the first five months are expected to reach US$408.4 billion to US$410.4 billion, a year-on-year increase of 48.8% to 49.5%.
April's export orders amounted to US$87.45 billion, and the cumulative export orders for the first four months of this year reached US$319.36 billion, setting a new record for the same period and representing a 49.5% year-on-year increase.
Observing the performance of major product categories, information and communication products and electronic products remain the two main drivers of order growth. In April, information and communication products reached US$31.46 billion, an 89.7% year-on-year increase, mainly due to strong demand for AI applications and cloud data services, which boosted orders for servers and networking products. The largest increase came from the United States, with an US$8.1 billion rise.
Electronic products reached US$35.94 billion, a 45.9% year-on-year increase, primarily benefiting from continued growth in demand for chip distribution channels, memory, and IC manufacturing. The largest increases were from the United States (up US$4.31 billion) and Mainland China and Hong Kong (up US$3.17 billion).
In terms of traditional goods, machinery product orders grew by 23.4% year-on-year, mainly because semiconductor manufacturers are actively expanding production capacity to meet the demands of emerging technologies, which in turn has increased demand for semiconductor and automation equipment. Plastic and rubber products saw an 8.2% year-on-year increase as rising international oil prices pushed up product prices. Basic metal products grew by 4.5%, and chemical products increased by 0.5%.
Huang Wei-chieh stated that traditional industries have returned to positive growth for two consecutive months. This is partly due to the AI supply chain driving demand for chemicals and metals used in electronics, as well as rush orders and stockpiling during the period of heightened geopolitical risk in March, and price increase factors.
However, he also pointed out that orders for traditional industries in April declined compared to March, indicating that the effect of earlier rush orders is gradually easing, and some manufacturers are no longer placing orders as aggressively as they did in March. Nevertheless, when viewed from a year-on-year perspective, price factors and AI supply chain demand continue to drive the growth of traditional industries.
Looking at major order regions, the United States remains the largest source of orders, with US$32.92 billion in April, a 62.6% year-on-year increase. ASEAN followed with US$17.9 billion (up 61.7%), Mainland China and Hong Kong with US$15.27 billion (up 29%), and Europe with US$9.71 billion (up 21.8%).
Regarding the rebound in orders from Mainland China and Hong Kong, Huang Wei-chieh analyzed that Mainland China's continuous policy support for domestic demand and investment has led to a recovery in economic activity, which has also benefited some of Taiwan's traditional industry orders. Furthermore, demand for general-purpose servers has been gradually increasing in orders for ICT products from Mainland China this year.
He further added that China's recent supply-side policy adjustments, such as reducing exports of crude iron and steel, have eased low-price competition pressure on Taiwan in the international market, leading to a more stable overall order environment. There has also been a rebound in orders for IC design, automation equipment, and basic metal products like copper foil.
The Department of Statistics pointed out that the cumulative total of export orders for the first four months of this year, as well as orders for information and communication products, electronic products, and orders from the United States and ASEAN, all set record highs for the same period. Orders from Mainland China and Hong Kong were the second-highest for the same period.
Looking ahead, the department stated that while geopolitical risks and international trade barriers continue to constrain global economic growth, the business opportunities from emerging technology applications continue to expand. Active investment in AI infrastructure by various countries will help support the order momentum for Taiwan's advanced semiconductor processes and server supply chain. Huang Wei-chieh pointed out that the AI trend continues to grow strongly, and the AI supply chain will continue to buffer the conflicts and impacts brought by geopolitics to Taiwan.
The Department of Statistics forecasts that May's export orders will be between US$89 billion and US$91 billion, a year-on-year increase of 46.4% to 49.7%. The cumulative orders for the first five months are expected to reach US$408.4 billion to US$410.4 billion, a year-on-year increase of 48.8% to 49.5%.