By Li Panpan

(JW Insights) Apr 11 -- China's silicon wafer imports increased by 18.8%, and exports jumped 78.5% year-on-year in 2022, according to data from the General Administration of Customs (GACC).

In 2022, China's import of silicon wafers totaled $3.281 billion, and its exports were $6.39 billion. The average import price from Germany registered at $134.21, way higher than $0.71 from Vietnam.

China’s supply capacity of large-size silicon wafers is insufficient and highly dependent on imports.

The imports numbered 305 million pieces and the exports 4.634 billion pieces in 2022. The average price of imported silicon wafers was $10.75/piece, much higher than that of exports at $1.13/piece in 2022.

From 2018 to 2022, China’s silicon wafer imports have increased steadily, while exports have fluctuated with a rising overall trend. The average price of imports was way much higher than the exported ones during the time, according to the GACC data.

In 2022, the import value of silicon wafers over 6 inches registered $2.79 billion, accounting for 85.03% of all silicon wafer imports, an increase of 18.8% year-on-year. The export value of them reached $5.574 billion, accounting for 87.23% of all silicon wafer exports, a year-on-year increase of 78.5%.

China imported silicon wafers larger than 6 inches from Japan, South Korea, the Taiwan region, and others; Japan accounted for one-third of the total in 2022, said the GACC data.

China exported silicon wafers larger than 6 inches mainly to Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, and the Taiwan region, each accounting for more than 10% of the total in 2022.

Exports to the US in 2022 registered an average price of $46.32 per piece, much higher than the general average price of $1 per piece.

By region, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Shanxi, Beijing, and Anhui ranked the top five in imports in 2022 for silicon wafers above 6 inches, and Jiangsu the first in exports.