This year's first half information and communication technology (ICT) exports surpassed $115.1 billion, marking the second highest performance in history. Driven by the increased demand for artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, semiconductors, the main product, recorded their highest performance, propelling overall ICT exports.
According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, ICT exports in the first half of this year amounted to $115.16 billion, a 5.8% increase compared to the same period last year. Imports totaled $70.92 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $44.24 billion.
Exports last month were $22.03 billion, a 4.7% increase year-on-year. Imports were $12.41 billion, leading to a trade surplus of $9.62 billion. A ministry official noted, “With the implementation of zero tariffs on key items and the expanding demand for AI data centers, ICT exports have shown an upward trend for five consecutive months,” adding that “the first half's performance is the second highest in history.”
In the first half, semiconductor exports reached $73.31 billion, an 11.4% increase from the previous year. This is the largest performance ever recorded for the first half of the year. Strong demand for high-value added memory (such as DDR5 and HBM) from increased AI server investments, along with a rebound in fixed prices for semiconductors (DRAM and NAND), contributed to this growth.
Exports of computers and peripheral devices also increased by 10.8% year-on-year, recording $6.64 billion. The expansion of AI servers propelled the export of solid-state drives (SSDs) used in data centers.
In contrast, displays and mobile phones showed a downward trend.
The export value of displays in the first half was $1.29 billion, a 33.7% decrease compared to the same period last year. This significant drop in demand for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) used in mobile phones was influenced by volume adjustments from front-line companies due to tariff uncertainties in the United States.
Mobile phone exports also declined. The export value of mobile phones was $790 million, a 6.2% decrease from the previous year, affected by a reduction in the export of components such as semiconductors and sensing modules.
By major countries, exports to the United States, Taiwan, and Japan increased, while exports to China (including Hong Kong) and the European Union (EU) decreased.
ICT exports to the United States amounted to $14.42 billion, a 14.5% increase compared to the previous year. With significant increases in exports of semiconductors and mobile phones, overall ICT exports to the United States have shown growth for 20 consecutive months.
Exports to Taiwan and Japan increased to $3.61 billion and $400 million, respectively, driven by rising semiconductor and computer and peripheral device exports, marking increases of 54.6% and 20.6%.
Exports to China amounted to $7.89 billion, a 9.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Although exports of computers and peripheral devices increased by 16.9%, the overall export value declined due to decreases in semiconductors, displays, and mobile phones.
Exports to the EU and India were $930 million and $420 million, respectively, which is a decrease of 5.3% and 6.3% compared to the previous year.