Taiwan's 2003 exports of bike parts down in volume, up in value

Taipei, April 7, 2004 (CENS)--Taiwan's exports of bicycles and related parts for 2003 dropped in volume but rose in value from 2002, according to statistics recently released by the Taiwan Bicycle Exporters' Association (TBEA).

Statistics compiled by the TBEA showed that the island exported a total of over 48,400 metric tons of bicycle parts last year, down 10.74% from 2002. But the exports generated revenue of over US$284 million, up 12.74%.

Of various export items, the same tallies indicated, bicycle frames, front forks, and relevant parts performed the best, with the export volume of 8,203 metric tons (down 4.67% from 2002 ) and value of US$118 million (up 39%).

Other major bicycle parts and accessories with export value outstripping US$10 million last year included bicycle rubber tires (US$24.55 million, up 5.02% from 2002), other brake devices and parts (US$18.72 million, up 11.8%), wheel hubs (excluding coaster brake hubs and hub brakes, US$12.51 million, down 0.56%), inner tube tires (US$12.06 million, up 3.54%), paddles and parts (US$11.84 million, down 2.15%), chainwheels and cranks and parts (US$10.43 million, down 16.39%).

The island's imports of bicycle parts and accessories grew 9.75% to 38,200 metric tons in 2003, with total import value of over NT$266 million up 22.95% from 2002.

TBEA said that the island's bicycle industry is marching toward the development of high-end products with higher added value. With the trend, Taiwan exported 3.88 million complete bicycles last year, down 7.97% from 2002; but the export value rose to US$583 million, up 11.29%. The average unit export price of Taiwan-made complete bikes grew by 20.9% to US$150.14 from US$124.2 in 2002.