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Electronics

Smartphone exports drop in November

By Sarah Chen
1 min read
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Smartphone exports fell nearly 10% in volume and 7.4% in value in November after the country’s largest manufacturer, Samsung Vietnam, lowered production the second time this year.

According to the General Statistics Office, Vietnam produced 20.6 million phones in November, and export of phones and phone components were worth $5 billion. This is the third straight month the export value of phones and components has dropped.

Smartphone production in the first 11 months decreased by over 7% year-on-year. Most of the smartphones produced in Vietnam are exported to the western market.

Normally, phone output increases before Christmas but it has dropped this year because inflation pressures have prompted companies to limit production.

Of the total smartphones output in Vietnam, Samsung Vietnam contributes a half. The tech giant recorded an export turnover of over $34 billion in the first half of this year, accounting for more than 18% of the country’s total.

Samsung Vietnam has reduced smartphone production twice this year, the first time in the first half of the year over Covid-19 impacts and the second early November.

Vietnam recorded a total export turnover of $342.21 billion in the first 11 months, while import turnover was $331.61 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $0.78 billion, according to the General Statistics Office. The surplus in the same period last year was $0.6 billion.

Questions & Answers

Q.

What is the primary reason for the recent decline in smartphone exports from Vietnam?

A.

Smartphone exports have dropped because Samsung Vietnam, the country's largest manufacturer, reduced production for the second time this year due to inflation pressures.

Q.

How much did Vietnam export in phones and phone components in November?

A.

The export of phones and phone components from Vietnam was valued at $5 billion in November. This marked the third consecutive month of decline.

Q.

How significant is Samsung Vietnam's contribution to the country's total smartphone output?

A.

Samsung Vietnam produces half of the total smartphones made in Vietnam. The company also accounted for over 18% of the country's total export turnover in the first half of this year.

Q.

What was the reason for Samsung Vietnam's first production cut this year?

A.

Samsung Vietnam's first production reduction earlier this year was attributed to the impacts of Covid-19, preceding the more recent cut in November.

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