Worldwide semiconductor sales fell on both sequential and on-year bases in the third quarter of 2022, according to the latest Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) statistics.
Worldwide sales of semiconductors totaled US$141 billion during the third quarter of 2022, a decrease of about 3% compared to the third quarter of 2021 and 6.3% less than the second quarter of 2022. Sales for the month of September 2022 were down 0.5% compared to August 2022 and 3% less than September 2021.
"Following strong growth through the first half of 2022, global semiconductor sales have slowed in recent months, decreasing in September on a year-to-year basis for the first time since January 2020 amid a range of macroeconomic headwinds," said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. "The long-term market outlook remains strong, however."
Semiconductor sales registered sequential increases of 4.8%, 0.5% and 0.1% in the Americas, Japan and Europe, respectively, in September, but decreased 2.9% in Asia Pacific/All Other and 3% in China. Sales increased compared to September 2021 in Europe (12.4%), the Americas (11.5%), and Japan (5.6%), but fell 14.4% in China and 7.7% in Asia Pacific/All Other.
On the other hand, silicon wafer shipments hit a record high in the third quarter of 2022, according the the latest SEMI statistics.
Worldwide silicon wafer shipments reached a new record of 3.74 billion square inches (MSI) in the third quarter of 2022, up about 1% sequentially and 2.5% on year, according to SEMI. "While the semiconductor industry has faced macroeconomic headwinds, the silicon industry continues to show quarter-over-quarter shipment increases," said Anna-Riikka Vuorikari-Antikainen, chairman of SEMI SMG and chief commercial officer at Okmetic. "As the role of silicon wafers is fundamental in the broader cyclical industry, we remain confident in long-term growth."
Silicon wafers are the fundamental building material for the majority of semiconductors, which are vital components of all electronic devices. The highly engineered thin disks are produced in diameters of up to 12 inches and serve as the substrate material on which most semiconductors are fabricated.
