Malaysia August Export Growth Tops Forecasts

Malaysia’s exports surged 45.5% year-on-year to MYR 191.1 billion in August 2026, accelerating from a 38% growth in both July and market expectations. Growth was mainly boosted by higher shipments of manufactured goods, which climbed 50.4% and accounted for 89.5% of total exports, particularly in electrical and electronic products (66.5%). Exports of mining products also soared 43.3%, due to increased shipments of tin (180.6%), metalliferous ores and metal scrap (76.1%), and liquefied natural gas (51.8%). However, the increase was partially offset by a decline in crude petroleum exports (-19.3%). By contrast, agricultural exports plunged 21.4%, reflecting lower sales of palm oil and palm-based products (-25%) and sawlog (-37.9%). Exports to all ten major destinations registered growth, led by the US (130.4%), Singapore (58.5%), China (19.9%), and the EU (20%). For January–August, exports totaled MYR 1,356.2 billion, up 31.2% from the same period last year.

Malaysia's exports jumped 38.0% year-on-year to MYR 193.6 billion in July 2026, surpassing market expectations of 34.3% growth, after a revised 45.5% surge in June. The value of exports during the month was the largest on record, mainly driven by a 42.6% increase in manufactured goods, which accounted for 89.8% of total exports, notably electrical and electronics products (51%). Exports of mining products rose 9.6% due to higher shipments of LNG (14.1%) and metalliferous ores and metal scrap (115.2%). Exports of agricultural products also increased 5.6%, particularly palm oil and palm-based agricultural products (7.8%). Exports to all ten major destinations registered growth, led by the US (79.8%), Singapore (16.7%), China (30.2%), Taiwan (96%), the EU (37%), Hong Kong (58.7%), Vietnam (77.3%), Japan (21.9%), Thailand (37.5%), and India (45%). For January–July, exports totaled MYR 1,165.2 billion, up 29.2% from the same period last year.

Malaysia's exports surged 45.4% year-on-year to MYR 177.9 billion in June 2026, accelerating from a downwardly revised 44.7% increase in May and marking the strongest annual growth since August 2022. Exports soared in the manufacturing sector (47.3%), supported by robust shipments of electrical and electronic products (56.9%), petroleum products (55.6%), and optical and scientific equipment (42.7%). Overall exports were also boosted by higher shipments in the mining sector (97.5%), particularly liquefied natural gas (83.3%). In contrast, agricultural exports fell 7.2%, weighed down by lower shipments of palm oil and palm-based products (-10.8%) as well as sawn timber and mouldings (-14.7%). By destination, exports to the United States more than doubled (108.6%), while shipments to Singapore (47.6%), China (36.1%), and Taiwan (44.7%) also recorded strong gains. For the first half of the year, total exports jumped 27.5% from a year earlier to MYR 971.6 billion.