Taiwan’s machinery exports surged in January, signaling a strong industry recovery, industry leaders reported. Machinery exports reached US$2.97 billion, up sharply from the previous year. The Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry highlighted the rebound as a key sign of stabilization in the sector.
The association noted that global economic uncertainty has eased in 2026, even though exports to the United States remain affected by ongoing tariff measures. Despite these challenges, demand is stabilizing, and full-year exports are forecast to grow between 5% and 10%. Industry output value is also expected to increase by more than 10%.
January marked the 12th consecutive month of machinery exports growth since February 2025. The association explained that exports were weaker in January 2025 due to the Lunar New Year holiday. This year, shipments rebounded strongly, reinforcing optimism about a sustained recovery.
Semiconductor-related equipment drove much of the growth, fueled by rising demand for artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and cloud data services. Exports of electronic equipment climbed 33.9%, while inspection and metrology equipment increased 23.8%. Combined, these categories now make up roughly 34% of total machinery exports.
However, the machine tool sector experienced mixed results. January exports rose 15.7% from a year earlier to US$156 million but fell 11.9% from December levels. The association attributed the decline to the stronger Taiwan dollar, which reduced cost competitiveness against Japan and South Korea.
Industry officials emphasized that Taiwan’s machinery exports continue to benefit from technological advantages and global demand for advanced manufacturing equipment. They stressed that the sector must remain agile to navigate currency fluctuations and trade uncertainties.
The Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry said companies are investing in innovation and expanding production to meet growing international demand. They expect continued growth in semiconductor and electronic equipment exports, supporting overall industry expansion.
Looking ahead, industry leaders predict stable recovery throughout 2026. They noted that consistent growth in machinery exports will strengthen Taiwan’s position in global manufacturing markets. The association remains confident that Taiwan can maintain competitiveness despite regional challenges.
The strong performance in machinery exports signals optimism for both businesses and the broader economy. Analysts expect Taiwan’s machinery sector to remain a key driver of export growth in the coming months.
