ICT Exports Down 7.2% in January... Semiconductor Exports Decrease 3.3% Year-on-Year

Average Daily ICT Export Value Up 3.6% Year-on-Year
Semiconductors' Decline Narrows to Single Digits After 12 Months

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Last month, the export volume of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) shrank by 7.2% compared to the previous year. The trade surplus also narrowed by 9%. This was due to semiconductor exports remaining in the $7 billion range, decreasing by 3.3%.

On the 12th, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that last month's ICT export amount was $13.4 billion, down 7.2% from the same month last year. The number of working days last month decreased by 2.5 days compared to the same month last year due to the Lunar New Year holiday.

The average daily export amount was $620 million, an increase of 3.6% from $600 million during the same period last year.

Semiconductors amounted to $7.29 billion, down 3.3% from the previous year. However, the decline narrowed to single digits after 12 months, from -23.5% in January last year. Exports of NAND flash (36.9%) and system semiconductors (16.2%) expanded.

The spot price of DRAM (4Gb basis) was $1.98, down 34.4% compared to the same period last year, and NAND flash (64Gb) was also lower by 6.5% at $2.46 compared to the previous year.

Display exports were $1.57 billion, down 21.3% from the same period last year. Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) panels rose slightly, but the decline in Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel exports continued.

Computer and peripherals increased by 42.7% to $970 million during the same period, and SSDs rose 133.8% to $690 million. Accordingly, peripheral exports continued their growth trend, increasing by 70.9% to $840 million.

SME ICT exports decreased by 11.6% year-on-year to $1.29 billion. This was due to semiconductor exports dropping by 40.6% to $180 million. Computers and peripherals (-19.8%) and mobile phones (-1%) also struggled.

By region, China (including Hong Kong), the largest ICT export country, decreased by 7.8% to $6 billion compared to the previous year. The European Union (EU) also fell by 12.3% to $860 million. Vietnam increased by 2% to $2.48 billion, and the United States rose by 5.5% to $1.54 billion.

Last month, the ICT trade surplus was preliminarily estimated at $4.58 billion. This is an 8.9% decrease from $5.03 billion in January 2019, one year ago.

By country, China (including Hong Kong) had the largest trade surplus at $2.77 billion. Vietnam ($1.68 billion), the United States ($870 million), and the EU ($380 million) followed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.