In the first half of this year, exports of information and communication technology (ICT) hit a record high on the back of a boom in semiconductors and solid-state drives (SSD) driven by expanded investment in artificial intelligence (AI). ICT's share of total industrial exports also exceeded half for the first time.
According to the 2026 first-half and June ICT trade trends released by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources on the 14th, first-half ICT exports totaled $253.86 billion, up 120.5% from a year earlier. ICT accounted for 51.1% of total exports.
Semiconductors and SSDs led the improvement. Semiconductor exports rose 162.5% to $192.43 billion, the highest ever for a first half. With growing demand for AI Server Memory for AI servers and rising prices, the full-year export total of $173.49 billion last year has already been surpassed.
Computer and peripheral exports increased 233.8% to $22.16 billion. Among them, SSD exports jumped 317.5% to $19.94 billion. Semiconductors and SSDs accounted for 83.7% of total ICT exports.
Mobile phone exports came to $8.4 billion, helped by stronger sales of premium products and high value-added components. By region, China was the largest at $101.16 billion, followed by the United States at $45.44 billion and Vietnam at $33.24 billion.
The first-half ICT trade surplus was $160.65 billion, surpassing the previous annual record of $113.22 billion set in 2018. June exports also reached $57.29 billion, topping $50 billion on a monthly basis for the first time.