Production surged by 65.3% compared to the previous year, marking the largest increase since late 2009, according to data published on Friday by the National Statistical Agency. Semiconductor shipments also rose by 59%, although they were weaker than the 62.7% in January. Inventories decreased by 16.2%, declining for the second consecutive month, which is another sign of high demand.
The growth in semiconductor production likely continued into March, as indicated by a 46.5% increase in chip exports compared to the same period last year for the first 20 days of the month. Rising demand for AI-related memory is one of the main growth drivers, and the country’s second-largest chip manufacturer, SK Hynix Inc., anticipates a continued positive trajectory in shipments, particularly to Nvidia Corp.