According to the statistics released by the Taiwan Ministry of Finance on October 7, in September Taiwan's total exports amounted to $19.07 billion, down by 12.7 percent year on year, while its total imports amounted to $16.52 billion, decreasing by 21.1 percent over the same month of last year. The trade balance in September was favorable, amounting to US$2.55 billion.
In September this year, Taiwan's iron and steel exports decreased by 33.4 percent to $1.08 billion, while metal product exports of the country declined by 23.6 percent to $655 million, both compared to September 2008.
In the first nine months of 2009, Taiwan's iron and steel exports came to $8.85 billion, down 38.3 percent, while its metal product exports totaled $5.02 billion, decreasing by 37.6 percent, both compared to the corresponding period of 2008.
On the other hand, Taiwan's iron and steel imports in September totaled $859 million and its metal product imports amounted to $783 million. The year-on-year decrease rates were 44 percent and 20.8 percent respectively.
In January-September period, Taiwan's iron and steel imports declined by 64 percent to $5.07 billion, while its metal product imports totaled $5.16 million, down 50.6 percent, both compared to the first nine months of the previous year.