Malaysia’s trade surplus widened to MYR 14.9 billion in May 2026 from MYR 9.0 billion in the same month a year earlier, as exports outpaced imports. Exports surged 45.4% year-on-year to MYR 177.9 billion, the fastest growth since August 2022, driven primarily by the manufacturing sector, which expanded 47.3%. Within manufacturing, exports of electrical and electronic products rose 56.9%, while petroleum product exports increased 55.6%.
By destination, exports recorded strong gains to the US (108.6%), Singapore (47.6%), China (36.1%), and the EU (29.7%). Imports also jumped, rising 43.9% year-on-year to a record MYR 163.0 billion, the quickest pace since August 2022. The increase was supported by higher imports 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 declined sharply, falling 38.0%.
For the first half of the year, Malaysia’s trade surplus totaled MYR 147.1 billion, with exports rising 27.5% and imports increasing 16.9%.
