EnU.S. computer imports fell 4.4% in March on a year earlier, Panjiva data shows, the fifth decline in six months. That was the result of a 10.1% slide in shipments of laptop computers, the largest group by number. The good news for laptop makers though is that average unit values are rising, with a 7.6% rise making for the seventh straight rise.
Other computer categories saw an expansion, however, with desktops and all-in-one systems jumping 29.2% and 36.8% respectively. The business segment was also stronger, with servers rising 7.7% to 1.54 million units shipped. The outlook for April is even better, with seaborne shipments – which tends to exclude higher value manufacturers – suggesting a 26.3% increase across all categories.
Source: Panjiva
The fastest growing exporter by sea to the U.S. was Compal, which produces for other manufacturers including Dell, Lenovo and Toshiba among others. Its shipments jumped 117% in April after rising for six months. Dell, the largest individual importer identified in Panjiva records, climbed 41.3% after a decline of 3.5% in the first quarter. Acer by contrast dropped 5.6%, the first reduction after growth throughout the fourth and first quarter.
Source: Panjiva
Compal has seen its China-sourced shipments grow globally through the first quarter, with an average 8.7% increase on a year earlier. That was modestly faster than the 6.8% growth seen from all Chinese manufacturers, which in turn was the result of a 6.9% growth in the value of laptop exports and 12.5% in servers. It lagged its largest rival and Apple supplier Quanta, which saw a 30.1% jump in its exports.
Source: Panjiva
