Taiwan export orders drop in January for first time in 11 months

Seasonal slowdown in demand for tech products drags on data

Cranes operate at the Port of Keelung in Taiwan. Orders for goods from the island, home to the world's largest contract chipmaker, are considered a bellwether of global technology demand. © Reuters

February 20, 2025 18:37 JST

TAIPEI (Reuters) -- Taiwan's export orders fell for the first time in 11 months in January as demand for technology products softened amid a seasonal slowdown, but the government remained optimistic about ongoing demand for artificial intelligence technologies.

Export orders dropped 3.0% year-on-year in January to $46.97 billion, Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs said on Thursday.