In November 2021, information and communication technology (ICT) exports broke the record again after two months since September, achieving the highest monthly export value in history.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced the status of information and communication technology (ICT) exports for November 2021 on the 14th.

According to the report, exports totaled $21.49 billion, a 30.0% increase year-on-year, while imports reached $12.76 billion, a 23.1% increase year-on-year. The trade balance recorded a surplus of $8.73 billion.

ICT exports in November achieved an all-time high monthly export value, with double-digit growth for eight consecutive months, as both key markets and key items continued to show strong export performance.

Small and medium-sized enterprises also showed steady growth, recording double-digit growth for 13 consecutive months, centered on items with a high proportion of ICT exports.

By item, semiconductors recorded $12.09 billion, up 39.5% from the same month of the previous year, surpassing $10 billion for seven consecutive months since May 2021 and achieving the highest performance ever for a November.

Memory semiconductors maintained a steady growth trend for 15 consecutive months since September 2020 due to continuous increase in demand from mobile and server sectors.

System semiconductors broke their all-time export record by achieving the $30 billion mark early for the second consecutive month, following the first time exports surpassed $30 billion in 2020, and recorded exports in the $3 billion range for seven consecutive months due to favorable foundry market conditions.

Displays recorded $2.43 billion, an 11.3% increase year-on-year, marking 15 consecutive months of growth driven by strong OLED performance fueled by sustained demand. OLED sales reached $1.53 billion, a 14% increase compared to the same month last year. Driven by sustained demand from TVs, premium phones, and other sources, OLED sales have grown for 15 consecutive months, and cumulative sales as of November 2021 reached $12.99 billion, marking the fourth consecutive year since 2018 that sales have exceeded $10 billion.

Mobile phone sales rose 17% year-on-year to $1.48 billion, marking five consecutive months of growth since July 2021. As demand for premium smartphones and high value-added components persists, both finished products and parts have risen in tandem.

Computers and peripherals recorded a 70.8% increase year-on-year to $1.78 billion, marking the ninth consecutive month of growth driven by expanded exports of peripherals, centered on auxiliary storage devices.

In particular, SSDs have shown a growth trend for seven consecutive months as demand surged due to the acceleration of digital transformation, surpassing $11 billion as of the cumulative total in November 2021.

By major country, China surpassed the $10 billion mark in monthly exports for the first time in September 2021 ($10.12 billion), and then broke the $10 billion record again with $10.06 billion just two months later.

Vietnam recorded $3.53 billion, up 24.7% from the same month of the previous year, continuing its growth for eight consecutive months, driven by semiconductors ($1.39 billion, up 44.7%) and displays ($1.41 billion, up 11.2%).

The U.S. continued its growth for 23 consecutive months, recording $2.49 billion, up 34.7% from the same month of the previous year, driven by semiconductors ($840 million, 37.6%↑), computers and peripherals ($570 million, 102.4%↑), and secondary batteries ($240 million, 24.2%↑).

The European Union recorded $1.27 billion, up 26.3% from the same month of the previous year, continuing its growth for 15 consecutive months, centered on computers and peripherals ($340 million, 140.5%↑), semiconductors ($250 million, 19.5%↑), and mobile phones ($150 million, 19.0%↑).

Japan recorded $380 million, up 16.0% from the same month of the previous year, continuing its growth trend for seven consecutive months, centered on semiconductors ($130 million, up 43.7%) and secondary batteries ($30 million, up 10.2%).