Ministry official Beatrice Tsai told reporters that second quarter exports could exceed $100 billion. The ministry said it saw risks from surging COVID-19 cases in some countries like India, but that the world's economy was on the up and Taiwan's exports were likely to grow 20% or so in the first half from a year earlier.

April exports to China, Taiwan's largest trading partner, jumped an annual 32.2% to $14.82 billion, while exports to the United States grew 35.2% on year. Imports leapt 26.4%, against economists' expectations for a 24% rise and a rapid increase of 27% in March. Taiwan could see May exports increase in the range of 25% to 31% year on year, the ministry added.

Taiwan's economy grew at its fastest pace in more than a decade in the first three months of 2021, fuelled by strong demand for the island's electronics exports.

China on Friday reported export growth unexpectedly accelerated in April as the brisk U.S. recovery and stalled factory production in other countries hit by coronavirus propped up demand for goods made in the world's second-largest economy.

(Reporting by Roger Tung and Ben Blanchard; Editing by Kim Coghill)