Taiwan's Machinery Exports Down 36.1% in First 10 Months

Taipei, Jan.11, 2010 (CENS)--Taiwan exported US$9.126 billion in machinery in the first 10 months of 2009, down 36.1% year-on-year, according to customs-cleared statistics compiled by the Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI).

Machine tools ranked first with export value reaching US$1.405 billion, down 56.5% from a year earlier. Plastics and rubber processing machinery followed with US$601.04 million, down 35.7%. Special-purpose machinery tools came third with US$587.38 million, down 46.4%.

In terms of major export destinations, China was first by absorbing US$2.471 billion in Taiwan-made machinery in the first 10 months of 2009, down 37.9% year-on-year and accounting for 27.1% of the total exports. The U.S. was second with US$1.56 billion, down 28.9% and commanding 17.1%. Japan was third with US$512.11 million, down 27.5% and accounting for 6.7%.

The TAMI's tallies also showed Taiwan imported US$11.669 billion in machinery in the first 10 months of 2009, down 27.8% year-on-year. Special-purpose machinery ranked first with import value amounting to US$1.019 billion, down 77.4% and accounting for 8.7% of the total imports. Engines and parts ranked second with US$606.86 million, down 13.2% and commanding 5.2%. The third place went to the category of pumps, compressors and fans with US$565.98 million, down 37.6% and accounting for 4.9%.

Japan was the largest supplier by selling US$4.787 billion of machinery to Taiwan in the first 10 months of 2009, down 30.4% year-on-year and accounting for 41% of the total imports. The U.S. was second at US$2.273 billion, down 33.4% and commanding 19.5%. The third place went to China with US$1.233 billion, down 23.1% and commanding 10.6%.

Exports of Taiwan-made Machinery (Jan.-Oct. 2009) Unit: US$1,000
Rank	Product Category	Jan.-Oct. 2008	Jan.-Oct. 2009	Annual Change (%)
1	Machine Tools	3,230,959	1,405,823	-56.5
2	Plastics & Rubber Machinery	934,651	601,041	-35.7
3	Special-purpose Machinery	1,095,524	587,382	-46.4
4	Valves & Parts	817,208	544,948	-33.3
5	Pumps, compressors, Fans	782,249	537,805	-31.2
6	Bearings, Gears, Ball Screws	610,990	420,094	-31.2
7	Molds & Dies	441,221	339,351	-23.1
8	Machine-tool Parts & Components	602,770	316,975	-47.4
9	Textile Machinery	417,154	297,506	-28.7
10	Woodworking Machinery	533,545	294,297	-44.8
11	Sewing Machines	307,591	209,311	-32
12	Papermaking, Printing Machinery	214,869	141,304	-34.2
13	Leather & Shoes Making Machines	74,161	39,423	-46.8
	Others	4,213,489	3,391,168	-19.5
	Total	14,276,381	9,126,428	-36.1
Source: Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry

Imports of Machinery into Taiwan (Jan.-Oct. 2009) Unit: US$1,000
Rank	Product Category	Jan.-Oct. 2008	Jan.-Oct. 2009	Annual Change (%)
1	Special-purpose Machinery	4,505,522	1,019,373	-77.4
2	Engines & Parts	698,899	606,864	-13.2
3	Pumps, Compressors, Fans	907,563	565,982	-37.6
4	Valves & Parts	532,428	325,579	-38.9
5	Machine Tools	1,400,562	277,114	-80.2
6	Plastics & Rubber Machinery	285,120	141,392	-50.4
7	Textile Machinery	278,697	136,427	-51
	Others	7,547,448	8,596,565	13.9
	Total	16,156,239	11,669,296	-27.8
Source: Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry