Malaysia Trade Surplus Hits Record High

Malaysia’s trade surplus widened to MYR 14.9 billion in May 2026 from MYR 9.0 billion in the same month last year, as exports grew faster than imports. Exports surged 45.4% year-on-year to MYR 177.9 billion, marking the strongest growth since August 2022, mainly driven by the manufacturing sector, which jumped 47.3%, particularly electrical and electronic products (56.9%) and petroleum products (55.6%). By destination, exports grew sharply to the US (108.6%), Singapore (47.6%), China (36.1%), and the EU (29.7%). Imports surged 43.9% yoy to a record MYR 163.0 billion, the fastest increase since August 2022, supported by higher purchases of intermediate goods (41.3%), consumption goods (17.2%), and capital goods (67.4%). Import growth was strongest from China (56.6%), followed by Singapore (84.2%) and Taiwan (35.1%), while imports from the US plunged 38.0%. For H1 of the year, the country’s trade surplus reached MYR 147.1 billion, with exports soaring 27.5% and imports climbing 16.9%.

Malaysia’s trade surplus soared to MYR 40.4 billion in April 2026 from MYR 0.8 billion in the same month last year, surpassing market expectations of MYR 23.2 billion. It was the largest trade surplus on record, as exports grew much faster than imports. Exports jumped 45.3% year-on-year to a record high of MYR 184 billion, mainly driven by the manufacturing sector, which soared 51.7%, particularly in electrical and electronic products (70.5%) and petroleum products (74.2%). By destination, exports grew sharply to the US (97.7%), Singapore (40.4%), China (27.8%), and the EU (45.0%). Imports rose 14.1% year-on-year to MYR 143.6 billion, supported by higher purchases of intermediate goods (14.4%). Import growth was strongest from Singapore (43.9%), followed by China (38.7%) and Taiwan (31.4%), while imports from the US slumped 32.0%. For the first five months of the year, the country’s trade surplus reached MYR 132.8 billion, with exports rising 24.3% and imports climbing 14.6%.

Malaysia’s trade surplus surged to MYR 28.8 billion in April 2026 from MYR 5.1 billion in the same month last year, surpassing market expectations of MYR 16.6 billion. It was the largest trade surplus since June 2023, as exports grew faster than imports. Exports jumped 36.9% yoy to a record high of MYR 182.7 billion, mainly driven by the manufacturing sector, which soared 40.1%, particularly in electrical and electronic products (46.4%) and petroleum products (70.2%). By destination, exports grew sharply to the US (39.0%), Singapore (23.2%), and China (39.2%). Imports climbed 11.2% yoy to a record peak of MYR 154 billion, supported by higher purchases of consumption goods (5.6%). Import growth was strongest from China (36.8%) and Singapore (45.7%), while imports from the US plunged 48.1%. For the first four months of the year, the country’s trade surplus reached MYR 91.9 billion, with exports and imports advancing 19.0% and 11.1%, respectively.