On weakening demand amid a global financial slump, Taiwan's exports in December plunged a record 41.9% year on year to US$13.64 billion, the government said on Jan. 7.
Exports in December declined for the fourth consecutive month and compared with the 23.3% fall in November to $16.78 billion.
However, Taiwan still registered a trade surplus of $1.86 billionin December, up from $1.52 billion.
The surplus came as the island a record drop in imports in December of 44.6% year on year to $11.78 billion as domestic demand dried up amid the global financial crisis.
Exports of LCD TVs dived 65.6% year on year to $0.72 billion while sales of other electronic products fell 43.4% to $3.24 billion.
Sales to China and Hong Kong last month fell 54% from the previous year to $4.42 billion and shipments to Southeast Asia dropped 46% to $1.94 billion.
Imports of industrial and agricultural raw materials fell 47% to $8.63 billion, while imports of consumer goods fell 12.3% to $1.32 billion.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2009
