TAIPEI, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Taiwan's exports fell in February, dropping 10.9 percent year on year to 28.9 billion U.S. dollars, according to the latest data released by the island's statistical agency on Wednesday.

Previously, the market and authorities expected a decline between 1.4 percent and 4.5 percent.

The sharp loss in February, the fourth consecutive monthly decline since November 2018, recorded an 8.1-percent contraction in Taiwan's exports from the same period in the first two months of this year.

The island's statistical authority attributed the decline to the Spring Festival holiday in February and weaker global demand for smartphones.

In a statement analyzing the prospect in the coming months, the statistical authority said export orders are expected to rebound following signs of price hikes in raw materials in the global market.