Export orders from Taiwan surged 60.1% year-on-year to a record high of USD 76.9 billion in January 2026, beating market expectations of a 50.9% increase and accelerating from a 43.6% rise in December. The strong performance was primarily driven by robust demand for electronic products (up 78.6% vs 39.9% in December), information and communication products (up 102% vs 88.1%), machinery (up 40.6% vs 17.2%), and electrical machinery products (up 34.8% vs 11.6%).
In addition, export orders returned to growth in several categories: chemicals (up 10.4% vs -0.4% previously), plastics and rubber and related articles (up 13.9% vs -8.2%), textile products (up 7.3% vs -13.5%), and basic metals and related articles (up 8.8% vs -2.5%).
By contrast, export orders for transport equipment remained under heavy pressure, plunging 55.6% after a 2% decline in December, while orders for mineral products slipped 12.2%, reversing a 22.2% gain in the previous month.
By destination, export orders to the United States soared 64.3%, those to Europe jumped 56.1%, and orders to Mainland China and Hong Kong rose 58.9%.
