Exports in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector recorded $17.06 billion in April, marking the highest April export value in history and maintaining an export growth trend for 11 consecutive months since last June.

According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, in April 2021, information and communication technology (ICT) exports totaled $17.06 billion, up 32.6% from the same month of the previous year, while imports totaled $10.78 billion, up 21.5% from the same month of the previous year. The trade balance was provisionally tallied at a surplus of $6.29 billion.

Exports have maintained an upward trend for 11 consecutive months since June 2020. This represents the largest export volume ever recorded for the month of April.

By major country, China (including Hong Kong) recorded $8.04 billion, a 21.6% increase compared to the same month of the previous year, and Vietnam recorded $2.39 billion, a 67% increase compared to the same month of the previous year. The United States recorded $2.13 billion, a 25.2% increase compared to the same month of the previous year, and the European Union recorded $1.09 billion, a 36.3% increase compared to the same period of the previous year. Japan recorded $320 million, a 1.4% decrease compared to the same month of the previous year, while other countries recorded $3.11 billion, a 54.3% increase compared to the same month of the previous year.

By major item, semiconductors amounted to $9.4 billion, up 29.4% from the same month last year. With continuous demand growth and rising unit prices, memory ($5.93 billion, 18.8% ↑) and system ($2.94 billion, 59.0% ↑) semiconductors rose together, marking 10 consecutive months of growth.

Displays increased by 35.1% year-on-year to $1.67 billion. Exports of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) and liquid crystal display (LCD) related parts expanded due to increased mobile demand.

OLEDs increased by 57.5% year-on-year to $840 million, and LCDs increased by 13.1% year-on-year to $500 million. Components increased by 26.0% year-on-year to $330 million.

Mobile phone exports reached $1.24 billion, an 89.7% increase compared to the same month last year. With simultaneous increases in finished products ($570 million, 89.4% ↑) and parts ($670 million, 89.9% ↑), exports have increased for six consecutive months.

Computers and peripherals amounted to $1.12 billion, up 3.9% from the same month last year. With simultaneous increases in computers ($160 million, 8.8% ↑) and peripherals ($960 million, 3.1% ↑), exports increased for two consecutive months.

Looking at the export status by major item, semiconductors amounted to $4.68 billion, a 28.1% increase compared to the same month of the previous year, and computers and peripherals amounted to $1.36 billion, a 14.2% increase compared to the same month of the previous year. Mobile phones amounted to $840 million, a 10.6% increase compared to the same month of the previous year, while displays amounted to $300 million, a 14.1% decrease compared to the same month of the previous year.

By major region, Taiwan recorded $1.33 billion, a 41.6% increase compared to the same month of the previous year, and Vietnam recorded $1.04 billion, a 41.4% increase. Japan recorded $990 million, a 15.7% increase, and the United States recorded $720 million, a 16.3% increase. The European Union increased by 13.7% year-on-year to $520 million, while China (including Hong Kong) decreased by 12.6% year-on-year to $3.73 billion.