September ICT exports achieved their highest monthly figure ever, driven by the global economic recovery and expanding digital transformation.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced information and communications technology (ICT) export and import statistics on the 13th.

According to this, ICT exports in September 2021 amounted to $21.34 billion, a 21.1% increase year-on-year, and imports amounted to $11.37 billion, an 18.8% increase year-on-year. The trade balance recorded a surplus of $9.97 billion.

Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, September ICT exports achieved the highest monthly export volume in 26 years since ICT statistics began being compiled in 1996.

Exports continued to perform well in both key markets and key products, driven by the global economic recovery and the expansion of digital transformation.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) also recorded steady growth, recording double-digit export growth for 11 consecutive months, mainly in items with a high proportion of ICT exports.

Semiconductor exports reached $11.23 billion, a 27.4% year-on-year increase, marking the second-highest export volume ever and marking the fifth consecutive month of exports exceeding $10 billion. Memory semiconductor exports reached $7.95 billion, a 28.6% year-on-year increase, and system semiconductor exports reached a record high of $3.75 billion, a 31.7% year-on-year increase.

Display sales increased 15.7% year-over-year to $2.44 billion, with OLED sales reaching $1.62 billion, a 33.1% year-over-year increase, marking the 13th consecutive month of growth. OLED demand increased due to the expanding TV market and the launch of new premium smartphones, and exports have exceeded $100 for four consecutive years since 2018.

Mobile phone sales increased 19.6% year-on-year to $1.21 billion. Demand for new premium smartphones and high-value-added components increased, leading to increases in both finished products and parts.

Computer and peripheral equipment sales reached $1.92 billion, a 49.1% increase year-on-year. Exports of peripherals, particularly SSDs, expanded, achieving the highest monthly export figure ever.

By major country, China saw a 24% year-on-year increase to $10.12 billion. Major items such as semiconductors, displays, and mobile phones all saw increases, marking the 13th consecutive month of growth. In particular, exports of mobile phone parts more than doubled compared to the same month last year.

Vietnam's exports reached $3.59 billion, a 15.3% increase year-on-year. This marks the sixth consecutive month of growth, driven by semiconductors and displays.

The United States saw a 27.2% year-on-year increase to $2.58 billion, marking the 21st consecutive month of growth, driven by semiconductors and secondary batteries.

The EU increased by 11.2% year-on-year to $1.09 billion, and Japan increased by 10.7% year-on-year to $370 million.