Taipei:Taiwan's exports reached a new monthly high of US$87.22 billion in September, marking 35 consecutive months of year-on-year growth. This achievement surpasses the previous record streak of 34 months from November 1985 to August 1988, as reported by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) on Thursday.
According to Focus Taiwan, the growth in September exports represents a 60.9 percent increase from the same month last year, driven by expanding AI and technology applications, inventory buildup for new consumer electronics, and higher product prices. This figure also exceeded the previous record of US$82.4 billion set in August.
Beatrice Tsai, Director-General of the MOF Department of Statistics, attributed the sustained export growth to several factors, including robust global investment in technological innovation and AI. This investment has helped mitigate the effects of geopolitical uncertainties and inflation concerns.
Additional factors contributing to the export boom include increased demand for advanced electronic components due to emerging AI applications, tight capacity in the electronics supply chain that maintained high export prices, and inventory accumulation ahead of new mobile device and consumer electronics product launches.
Tsai noted that Taiwan's exports are entering a "historic and brilliant moment," predicting that fourth-quarter exports are likely to push annual exports above US$900 billion. She also forecasted October exports to range from US$85.2 billion to US$87.7 billion, marking a 40-44 percent increase from the previous year.
In September, exports of information, communication, and audio-video products amounted to US$39.13 billion, approximately double the level from a year earlier. Meanwhile, electronic component exports increased by 45.3 percent year-on-year to US$31.13 billion, both achieving their second-highest monthly export values on record.
AI-related demand has also had a positive impact on traditional industries, with non-electronic and non-information and communications products experiencing a 25.4 percent year-on-year growth in September. This marks the strongest growth in nearly five years, excluding Lunar New Year months, indicating a gradual recovery in traditional sectors.
Electrical machinery exports rose 29.8 percent year-on-year in September, continuing their growth for 26 consecutive months, bolstered by demand from data center construction, power grid upgrades, and equipment replacement.
On the import side, September imports increased 51.7 percent from the previous year 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.
For the third quarter, Taiwan's exports totaled US$244.92 billion, a 44.6 percent rise from a year earlier, while imports rose 44.3 percent to US$181.8 billion, leading to 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, with imports increasing 41.3 percent to US$501 billion, resulting in a cumulative trade surplus of US$160.55 billion.