Global semiconductor sales reached $99.5B in March, which represented a 79% year-over-year surge, according to data from the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics organization.
Sales during the first quarter of 2026 increased 25% year over year to $298.5B.
This is positive news for the entire semiconductor industry, but particularly for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM), which owns the largest chip fabrication capacity in the world.
Intel (INTC) is also expanding its fabrication capabilities. Shares for the Lip-Bu Tan company popped up 11% during early market trading on Tuesday. It was reported yesterday that Apple (AAPL) is considering using Intel and Samsung (SSNLF) to produce the main processors for its devices in the U.S. This would offer options beyond longtime partner Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing.
"Global chip sales remain on track to reach $1 trillion in 2026, with Q1 sales significantly exceeding sales in Q4 2025," said Semiconductor Industry Association CEO John Neuffer. "Strong sales across the Asia Pacific region, the Americas, and China drove global semiconductor market growth, highlighting broad and robust demand for semiconductors and the countless tech products they enable."
If sales continue at the same pace throughout 2026, they would easily surpass the $1T mark and shatter the prior record of $791.7B reached in 2025.
On a regional basis, March semiconductor sales jumped 108% year over year in Asia Pacific, 83% in the Americas, 75% in China, 46% in Europe, and 7% in Japan.
