Taiwan’s exports declined further in May and imports fell for the first time in three months, figures from the Finance Ministry showed on Monday.
Total exports fell 4.8 percent year-on-year in May, following a 3.3 percent decline in April. Economists had expected 2.8 percent fall.
Imports dropped 5.9 percent annually in May, reversing a 2.6 percent rise in the previous month. Economists expected a fall of 0.6 percent.
The trade surplus rose 1.7 percent annually from a year ago to US$4.49 billion. Economists had expected a surplus of $3.05 billion.
Among the leading export commodities, exports of electronic product, information, communication and audio-video products increased.
Meanwhile, the shipment of base metals and articles of base metal, machinery, plastics and rubber and articles declined in May.
Imports of parts of electronic product, mineral products, chemicals, machinery, base metals and articles of base metal declined in May.
Exports to Japan and U.S.A increased, while that to Mainland China and Hong Kong, ASEAN and Europe decreased from last year.
In the January to May period, exports declined 4.2 percent from a year ago and imports fell 1.2 percent.
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