TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s exports soared to a record NT$1.91 trillion (US$61.8 billion) in October, up nearly 50% from a year earlier, marking the strongest growth in more than 15 years amid a global AI-driven tech boom.

The Ministry of Finance said Friday the record figure gave Taiwan a monthly trade surplus of NT$699.61 billion, also a record high, per CNA. Cumulative exports for the first 10 months of the year rose 31.8% to NT$15.97 trillion, while imports increased 21.3% to NT$12.17 trillion.

MOF Department of Statistics Director Tsai Mei-na (蔡美娜) said October marked five major milestones: exports exceeded NT$1.86 trillion for the first time; outpaced South Korea’s NT$1.85; posted the largest year-on-year rise in over a decade; surpassed NT$15.49 billion cumulatively; and lifted the trade surplus to a record.

Tsai said the strong performance reflected steady global demand for AI and high-performance computing, robust semiconductor growth, and seasonal strength from new electronics launches. These factors, she added, underscore Taiwan’s continued resilience amid global uncertainty.

Information, communications, and audio-visual products led the surge, jumping 140% year-on-year to a record NT$852.67 billion, 44.5% of total exports, amid soaring US demand. Electronic components followed, rising 27.7% to NT$655.61 billion, the second-highest on record.

Tsai cautioned that traditional sectors such as base metals and plastics remain sluggish due to global oversupply and weak demand. Still, she said the overall trend shows Taiwan’s export strength remains anchored in its advanced technology sectors.