Taiwan’s Export Orders Set New Records as AI Demand Reshapes Growth Outlook
2026/01/19 | By Sherry Chen
Taiwan’s export orders are on course to reach a historic high, underpinned by sustained demand from AI and related computing infrastructure. The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) is set to release December figures and full-year data on January 20th, but officials already expect 2025 export orders to total between US$738.7 billion and US$740.7 billion, an increase of more than 25% year-on-year and the strongest performance on record. With momentum continuing into year-end, the total may yet approach US$750 billion.
December alone is forecast to deliver between US$72 billion and US$74 billion in orders, potentially marking a new monthly record. If confirmed, this would extend the current run of year-on-year growth to 11 consecutive months, with annual growth of between 36% and 40%.
Fourth-quarter orders are projected at US$214.3 billion to US$216.3 billion, representing double-digit sequential growth and a year-on-year increase of around 34%.
The strength has been driven in part by early order placements. Officials noted that manufacturers had anticipated a handover between old and new server and semiconductor products late in the fourth quarter, with mass production originally expected in December. Instead, orders were pulled forward, resulting in a sharp surge in November.
That month’s export orders reached US$72.9 billion, exceeding expectations and setting a new monthly record. The annual growth rate of 39.5% was the strongest since mid-2021.
Cumulative orders for the first 11 months of the year climbed to US$666.7 billion, up 24.2% from a year earlier.
Survey data suggest cautious optimism for December, with a majority of firms expecting orders to remain stable and a modest share anticipating further growth. Information and communications technology, electronics and optical products all posted expansionary outlooks.
Looking ahead, officials expect AI-related demand to remain the principal growth engine into 2026, though the pace is likely to moderate given the elevated base in 2025. Policymakers are also watching for a recovery in traditional manufacturing, aided by China’s efforts to curb excessive price competition.
AI’s impact is most visible in Taiwan’s two largest export categories. In November, information and communications products surged nearly 70% year on year, while electronic products rose almost 48%, reflecting strong demand for servers, semiconductors and related components.