TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwan’s exports rose by 4.3% in April compared to the same month last year, marking the sixth consecutive month of growth, the Ministry of Finance said Wednesday (May 8).

The total for April reached US$37.48 billion (NT$1.21 trillion). Nevertheless, the figure was 10.4% lower than in March, Radio Taiwan International (RTI) reported.

Imports surged 6.6% from April 2023 to US$31.02 billion, but fell 6.4% from March 2024. As a result, Taiwan was left with a positive trade balance of US$6.46 billion, according to the finance ministry.

Looking at the first four months of 2024, exports totaled US$147.81 billion, a 10.6% increase from the same period in 2023.

April exports to the United States surged by 81.6% from the same month last year due to the success of information, communication, and audiovisual products. Exports to Japan tumbled 39.6% on a year-by-year basis due to falling electronic parts exports and a high basis of comparison.

For the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), exports still managed an increase of 2.8%. The China and Hong Kong market saw a drop of 11.3%, while Europe recorded a fall of 6.5% as a destination for Taiwan’s exports.