World semiconductor sales reach a record $299.5 billion in 2011

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM: Global sales of semiconductor grew for the second-consecutive year following the 2009 downturn, reaching a record of $299.5 billion in 2011, the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics reported yesterday. This represents an increase of 0.4 percent compared to the $298.3 billion reported in 2010.

In 2011, most of the major semiconductor product categories showed strong growth year-over-year. In particular total discrete, opto and sensors grew by 8.3 percent and MOS microprocessors grew by 7.5 percent compared to 2010. The relatively low growth of total semiconductor sales was mainly driven by the development of DRAMs, which decreased significantly. Most of the other categories showed an average to above average development.

In December, worldwide sales were $23.8 billion, resulting in a decline of 5.5 percent compared to the previous month. A sequential decline in December reflects normal seasonal patterns. European semiconductor sales amounted to $2.779 billion. On a total year basis European semiconductor sales reached in 2011 a value of $37.391 billion, resulting in a decrease of 1.7 percent versus the year 2010.

The exchange rate of the Euro compared to the US dollar has continued to have an impact on the European sales picture in the last month. Measured in Euro, semiconductor sales were 2.061 billion Euros in December 2011, down 6.7 percent on the previous month and down 15.2 percent versus the same month a year ago. On a total year basis, semiconductor sales reached in 2011 a value of Euro 26.871 billion, which represented a decrease of 6.5 percent versus the year 2010.

Market data by regionSource: ESIA, Europe.