Malaysia’s exports surged 45.3% year-on-year to a record MYR 184 billion in May 2026, following an upwardly revised 37.3% increase in April and sharply beating market expectations of 32.4%. This was the fastest pace of growth since August 2022, achieved despite ongoing global uncertainties.
The expansion was driven primarily by the manufacturing sector, which jumped 51.7%. Within manufacturing, exports of electrical and electronic products soared 70.5%, while petroleum products climbed 74.2%. Mining exports also posted strong gains, rising 36.5%, bolstered in particular by a 111.5% surge in liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments. These gains were partly offset by a steep 67.1% contraction in crude petroleum exports.
In contrast, agricultural exports fell sharply, dropping 22.9%. This reflected weaker demand for palm oil and palm-based products, down 24.6%, as well as a 22.9% decline in natural rubber exports.
By destination, exports recorded robust growth to key markets, including the United States (97.7%), Singapore (40.4%), China (27.8%), and the European Union (45.0%).
Over the first five months of 2026, total exports rose 24.3% from a year earlier, reaching MYR 793.8 billion.
