U.S. company Apple had Southeast Asia’s highest number of suppliers in Vietnam last year and fourth highest globally.
There were 35 suppliers as of the 2023 financial year (which ended on Sep. 30), according to the Supplier List announced by Apple recently.
In Southeast Asia, Thailand (24 suppliers), Malaysia (19) and the Philippines (17) followed Vietnam.
Globally Vietnam was behind China (158), Taiwan (49) and Japan (44).
In 2016-23 Vietnam saw the strongest increase in the number of suppliers with the entry of Foxconn, Luxshare and others.
There are factories in Vietnam that produce parts for Apple’s AirPods, iPad and Apple Watch.
Analysts expect Vietnam to account for 65% of Apple’s Airpods, 20% of iPad and Apple Watch and 5% of Macbook by 2025.
Apple CEO Tim Cook last week visited Vietnam and met Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
The company said it would buy more parts produced by suppliers in Vietnam and promised to support the country’s innovation efforts.
China remains at the top of Apple’s supply chain, accounting for 42% of its production.