KUALA LUMPUR: Global semiconductor industry sales jumped 26.2% to US$43.6bil in May, up from US$34.6bil a year ago as demand for chips remained strong, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) said.

       The US-based organisation said on its website on Wednesday the May 2021 sales were also up 4.1% from the US$41.9bil in April.

       Monthly sales are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organisation and represent a three-month moving average.

       SIA represents 98% of the US semiconductor industry by revenue and nearly two-thirds of non-US chip firms.

       John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO said global demand for semiconductors remained high in May, as sales increased both year-to-year and month-to-month across all major regional markets.

       “The industry shipped more units on a three-month moving basis in May than during any previous month in the market’s history, indicating semiconductor production has ramped up significantly to address rising demand, ” he said,

       Regionally, year-to-year sales increased in Europe (31.2%), Asia Pacific/All Other (30.9%), China (26.1%), the Americas (20.9%), and Japan (20.4%). Month-to-month sales increased in the Americas (5.9%), China (5.4%), Japan (3.1%), Asia Pacific/All Other (2.6%), and Europe (1.1%).