China's integrated circuit exports surged 136 percent year on year in September to US$45 billion, far outpacing the 108 percent growth rate recorded across the first nine months of 20264. The value spike was driven by higher prices amid a memory-chip boom tied to AI demand, even as export volume rose just 1 percent year on year to 32.7 billion units. The IC surge anchored a broader 36.3 percent jump in China's total exports for September, beating economists' expectations1,5. Semiconductor products, electric vehicles, and green technology were cited as key drivers2. ANALYSIS The near-flat volume growth paired with a 136 percent value increase points to pricing power concentrated in AI-linked chips rather than a broad manufacturing ramp.
China chip exports jump 136% to $45B as AI demand drives prices
China's IC exports hit $45B in September, up 136% year on year, as AI-driven pricing lifted values while unit volumes barely grew.