Taipei - Taiwan posted s slump of 22 per cent in export orders in February for the fifth straight month, as deteriorating economic conditions further eroded overseas demand, the Economics Ministry said Tuesday.

In February, the island received orders worth 20.12 billion US dollars, down 22.27 per cent year-on-year, but a marked increase from a record contraction of 41.67 per cent registered in January, the ministry said in a statement.

Among Taiwan's export markets, orders from China and Hong Kong fell 26.3 per cent year-on-year to 4.8 billion US dollars, half the record drop of 54.71 per cent registered in January.

Orders from the US, Taiwan's second-largest export destination, also posted a decline of 20.15 per cent year-on-year to 4.9 billion US dollars, the ministry said.

Orders from Europe fell 19.8 per cent year-on-year to 3.96 billion US dollars, it said. (dpa)