In March 2021, information and communication technology (ICT) exports recorded export growth for the 10th consecutive month, driven by increases in exports of semiconductors and displays.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced the ICT export and import trends for March on the 14th.

According to this, ICT exports in March 2021 increased by 8.9% year-on-year to $17.41 billion, and imports increased by 15.7% year-on-year to $10.93 billion. The trade balance recorded a surplus of $6.49 billion.

Exports have continued to increase for 10 consecutive months since June 2020.

Daily average exports also increased by 8.9% year-on-year to $730 million, maintaining high export growth by achieving the second highest export amount in history for the third consecutive month, following January and February.

There were increases in China (including Hong Kong, up 7.7%), the United States (up 4.1%), and the European Union (up 25.7%), while there were decreases in Vietnam (-3.8%) and Japan (-1.8%).

Looking at the major items, semiconductors increased by 7.9% year-on-year to USD 9.57 billion. Due to solid demand, memory (USD 6.12 billion, up 8.2%) and system (USD 2.9 billion, up 9.3%) semiconductors rose together, increasing for the 9th consecutive month.

Displays increased 2.9% year-over-year to $1.69 billion. Exports of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and related parts continued to expand due to increased mobile demand.

Mobile phones increased 8.7% year-on-year to $1.1 billion. Finished products decreased ($440 million, -9.6%), but exports increased for the fifth consecutive month, led by parts such as camera modules ($670 million, ↑25.4%).

Computers and peripherals increased by 6.7% year-on-year to $1.31 billion. Auxiliary memory devices (SSDs, etc. $920 million, up 7.6%) led the increase.

Looking at major regions, China (including Hong Kong) increased by 7.7% year-on-year to $8.22 billion, and the United States increased by 4.1% year-on-year to $2.06 billion.

The European Union increased by 25.7% year-on-year to USD 1.11 billion, while Vietnam decreased by 3.8% year-on-year to USD 2.35 billion.

Japan fell 1.8 percent year-on-year to $410 million.

Imports of semiconductors increased by 12.8% year-on-year to $4.69 billion, and computer and peripheral devices increased by 39.1% year-on-year to $1.56 billion. Mobile phones decreased by 4.9% year-on-year to $790 million, and displays decreased by 14.0% year-on-year to $310 million.

By region, Taiwan increased by 26.3% year-on-year to $1.4 billion, and Vietnam increased by 8.8% year-on-year to $1.01 billion.

China's total fell 1.5 percent year-on-year to $3.71 billion, while Japan's total fell 1.3 percent year-on-year to $1.01 billion.

The United States fell 6% year-on-year to $720 million, while the European Union fell 3.2% year-on-year to $570 million.