Taiwan exports surged 49.7% year-on-year to reach an all-time high of $61.8 billion in October, propelled by global demand for artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing technologies, according to data from the Ministry of Finance (MOF) cited by Focus Taiwan.
The figure marks the first time Taiwan’s exports have exceeded $60 billion in a single month, representing the largest year-on-year growth in nearly fifteen and a half years. It also extends the island’s export expansion streak to 24 consecutive months.
Imports for the same month climbed 14.6% year-on-year to $39.22 billion, the highest October level on record. The surge in exports boosted Taiwan’s trade surplus to a record $22.58 billion, the MOF’s Department of Statistics Director-General Beatrice Tsai said.
Tsai attributed the export boom to sustained global demand for AI-related products, the launch of new consumer electronics, and the seasonal peak for technology shipments, despite the impact of U.S. tariffs. She noted that exports of AI and high-performance computing components were key contributors to the strong performance.
Tsai cautioned that certain traditional sectors, such as metals, metal products, plastics, and rubber, continued to face overcapacity and weaker demand, resulting in export declines within those categories.
The United States remained Taiwan’s largest export destination in October, with shipments reaching $21.14 billion, up 1.4 times from a year earlier, and accounting for 34.2% of total exports.
The share was 11% points higher than that of China and Hong Kong, the second-largest market. Tsai noted that growth in U.S.-bound exports was primarily driven by strong sales of new-generation graphics cards, adding that the 34.2% share represented the highest level since August 1990.
On the import front, Tsai explained that the rise was mainly due to active global AI supply chain activity and domestic restocking to support export production.
For the first ten months of 2025, Taiwan’s cumulative exports totalled $514.45 billion, up 31.8% from the same period a year earlier. Full-year exports are expected to surpass $600 billion, Tsai said.
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