Taiwan's Export Orders Surge Past $95.2 Billion! AI Drives Record High, Ministry of Economic Affairs Reveals Key Variables for Second Half

The Ministry of Economic Affairs' Statistics Division released the foreign export order data for June 2026 yesterday (21st), reporting a monthly order value of $95.26 billion, a year-on-year increase of 59.4%, and the 17th consecutive month of positive growth. This strong performance was primarily driven by sustained demand in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, which significantly boosted orders for electronic and information and communication technology (ICT) products, along with a simultaneous rise in memory prices and volumes and an unprecedented surge in notebook PC procurement.

June's export orders far exceeded expectations, setting new historical highs for the month ($95.26 billion), the quarter ($272.19 billion), and the first half of the year ($504.10 billion). With the peak season for consumer electronics new product preparation arriving in the second half, the Ministry forecasts July orders between $93.5 billion and $95.5 billion, and expects the second half to maintain a high monthly level of around $90 billion.

Memory Prices and Volumes Rise, Notebook Demand Surpasses Expectations

According to detailed data released by the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Statistics Division, technology goods closely linked to AI were the primary drivers behind the record-breaking orders. In June, ICT product orders reached $34.15 billion, a year-on-year increase of 81.9%; electronic product orders hit a record high of $40.5 billion, up 79.9% year-on-year.

As reported by the Economic Daily News, Huang Wei-Jie, Director of the Statistics Division, stated that the initial forecast for June orders was between $89.5 billion and $91.5 billion, but the final result exceeded expectations. The core reasons were a strong upward trend in both price and volume for memory within the electronics sector, coupled with a sudden surge in last-minute notebook PC orders within ICT products.

In traditional industries, basic metals, machinery, plastics and rubber, and chemicals all maintained year-on-year growth rates above 1.8% in June, with all sectors posting positive growth in the first half, showing signs of steady recovery.

First Time in Nearly Five Years: U.S. and China Markets Both Hit Record Highs Simultaneously

By major destination, June orders from the United States reached $38.66 billion, up 83.6% year-on-year, setting a new record; orders from China and Hong Kong also reached $17.06 billion, up 37.2% from the same month last year, also a record high.

This marks the first time since October 2021—nearly five years—that both the U.S. and China, Taiwan's two largest markets, have simultaneously reached record highs in monthly order value. Huang Wei-Jie noted that strong U.S. orders were primarily driven by massive corporate investments in AI infrastructure, while the biggest contributor in the China region was aggressive procurement by 'memory distributors,' which heated up demand for related supply chain products.

Can Monthly Orders Exceed $90 Billion in the Second Half? Ministry Warns of Two Key Variables

Looking ahead to second-half order prospects, Huang Wei-Jie stated that, following seasonal industry patterns, second-half performance typically exceeds the first half. Supported by continued growth in AI demand, it is highly feasible for Taiwan to maintain monthly order values of $90 billion in the second half. Whether monthly orders can further break the $100 billion mark will depend on consumer market response following the launch of new smartphones.

However, the Ministry also highlighted potential macroeconomic risks, including whether geopolitical conflicts such as the situation in Iran could push up global prices and subsequently suppress end-consumer demand.

Huang Wei-Jie further explained that Taiwan's current export momentum is primarily driven by corporate 'AI equipment procurement' rather than general consumer demand. This, he emphasized, is the core reason why Taiwan's economy continues to grow despite international institutions downgrading global economic growth forecasts. Based on surveyed manufacturers' outlook for July orders, the Direction of Movement Index (DMI) calculated by order value stands at 48.7, indicating a slight decrease from June, but the overall second-half outlook remains stable.

Taiwan's Major Export Categories in First Half of 2026:

1. ICT Products: $34.15 billion (up 81.9% year-on-year) 2. Electronic Products: $40.50 billion (up 79.9% year-on-year) 3. Plastics and Rubber Products: $1.44 billion (down 1.4% month-on-month, up 1.8% year-on-year)

Major Destinations:

1. United States: $38.66 billion (up 83.6% year-on-year) 2. Time when both U.S. and China markets simultaneously hit record highs (since October 2021)

July Forecast and Trends:

July Order Direction Index: 48.7.